SpaceX has released captivating renders showcasing the interior of its Human Landing Systems (HLS) variant of the Starship spacecraft. However, the designs have sparked discussions regarding the effective use of space.
The spacecraft is intended for NASA“s Artemis 3 mission, aiming to return astronauts to the Moon”s surface for the first time in over fifty years. If successful, the HLS will provide ample room for a crew of four astronauts, as illustrated in two of the company”s renders, which depict astronauts seated near large windows.
Measuring nearly 30 feet in width, Starship is designed to allow crews significant space to move as they transition from the Orion capsule in lunar orbit to the Moon”s South Pole. One image highlights an astronaut gazing upward into the spacecraft”s dome-shaped top, revealing a spacious area that appears to lack cargo. This raises concerns about safety and practicality, particularly if an astronaut were to become trapped in that vast, gravity-free space.
“Starship can carry more people and much larger payloads than the Apollo Lunar Module used during the last human Moon exploration,” states SpaceX”s updated Moon mission page. The company boasts that “just one of Starship”s dual airlocks has more than double the interior volume of the entire Apollo lander.”
Despite these ambitious plans, it remains uncertain whether the HLS variant will be ready in time for NASA“s Artemis 3 mission, currently scheduled for 2028. SpaceX has faced considerable challenges in developing the super-heavy launch platform. The company”s latest test flight, which occurred earlier this month, saw the rocket successfully launch and land in the Indian Ocean after approximately one hour. However, the company has yet to demonstrate its ability to land safely on solid ground.
Additionally, before the Artemis 3 mission, SpaceX must prove its in-orbit refueling capabilities, as the HLS variant will require at least ten Starship launches to gather sufficient fuel for the Moon journey.
While the renders depict a luxurious journey to the lunar surface—significantly more spacious compared to the cramped conditions of the Apollo-era landers—SpaceX has a considerable amount of work ahead to secure its role in NASA”s landmark mission in 2028.
The pressure intensifies, as NASA“s interim administrator, Sean Duffy, revealed earlier this month that the agency may consider Jeff Bezos” Blue Origin—a notable competitor of Elon Musk“s SpaceX—for its Artemis missions instead. “We”re going to have a space race among American companies to see who can get us back to the Moon first,” Duffy mentioned, emphasizing that SpaceX is “behind schedule.”
