NASA estimates 22 Starship launches required for lunar landing
NASA expects to perform 22 Starship launches to fuel a lunar lander in low-Earth orbit for its upcoming Artemis mission, according to reporting by Ars Technica.
A successful crewed lunar landing under NASA's Artemis program will require an estimated 22 Starship launches to provide the necessary propellant in low-Earth orbit. This logistical requirement covers the refueling of the lunar lander before it departs for the moon and completes its return journey to lunar orbit.
The agency has historically avoided confirming specific figures, often citing the evolving nature of the Human Landing System requirements. As recently as 2023, NASA officials were reluctant to provide a concrete launch count, describing the figure as a moving target.
This projection highlights the significant scale of operations required for SpaceX to support deep-space missions. The feasibility of the mission hinges on the ability to conduct a rapid, multi-flight refueling sequence in orbit before the crewed mission commences.