SpaceX will do a propellant transfer demo on their next Starship test (twitter.com)

5 comments

[ 3.2 ms ] story [ 19.0 ms ] thread

CNBC link: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/05/spacex-plans-nasa-refueling-...

First they have to get it to orbit without falling apart.

I think technically they do not need to reach orbit just 0g which can happen on a ballistic trajectory. This test is between two tanks in the same vessel. But yeah orbit would be ideal as it gives more time in 0g

cratermoon 2y ago ↗

Still need the spacecraft not become a debris field north of Puerto Rico.

jcalvinowens 2y ago ↗

Apparently the starship HLS for the Artemis landing mission is expected to require 14 or more refuelings: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemis_3

> The delivery [to NRHO] requires that Starship HLS be refueled in Earth orbit before boosting to the NRHO, and this refueling requires a pre-positioned propellant depot in Earth orbit that is filled by multiple (at least 14) tanker flights.