NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Uncrewed Lunar Demo

Launch Time
NET 2026
Watch

Rocket

Starship HLS
SpaceX
Status: Planned
Liftoff Thrust: 74,432 kN
Payload to LEO: 200,000 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 121.0 m
Fairing Diameter: 9.0 m

Mission Details

HLS Uncrewed Lunar Demo

HLS Uncewed Lunar Demo is the first of two missions contracted by NASA to SpaceX. It will be carried out by Starship HLS under the Artemis Program. HLS will be launched to low-earth orbit, where it will dock with and refuel from a Starship propellant depot. From there it will undock and perform a trans-lunar injection burn and enter NRHO (Near-rectilinear halo orbit). From here it will attempt to perform an uncrewed Lunar landing and ascent to validate the technologies needed for future Crewed Lunar landings.

Lunar orbit

Location

LC-39A Starship Pad, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA