SpaceX to Conduct Groundbreaking Orbital Refueling Test in 2025
In a significant development for space exploration, SpaceX is set to perform a crucial orbital refueling test involving two Starships in early 2025. This test, pivotal for NASA’s Artemis III mission aimed at returning humans to the lunar surface, was revealed in an interview with Kent Chojnacki, deputy manager for NASA’s Human Landing System program.
The ambitious test, scheduled to commence in March 2025 and conclude by summer, will span several weeks and demonstrate the first large-scale ship-to-ship propellant transfer in space. While official announcements from NASA and SpaceX are pending, the plans outline a complex operation involving two Starships launched to low Earth orbit approximately three to four weeks apart.
The refueling process will involve the first Starship remaining in orbit as a stationary target, while the second, dubbed the “chaser,” will rendezvous and dock with it. Following the propellant transfer, both spacecraft will undock and deorbit, marking a significant milestone in space technology.
This demonstration is crucial for future space missions, as successful orbital refueling could enable the transportation of large payloads beyond Earth’s orbit. It represents a key step towards uncrewed demonstrations of propellant aggregation, essential for long-duration space missions.
SpaceX’s progress in developing the Starship as a lunar lander for NASA’s Human Landing System has been notable. Recent achievements include a successful landing using “Mechazilla,” a mechanical arm system designed to catch and stabilize returning rockets.
Looking ahead, SpaceX aims to demonstrate the relighting of a rocket engine in space, a critical capability for controlled reentries. This demonstration could occur as early as November 18, marking another essential step in making Starship a fully reusable launch platform.
As these developments unfold, the space industry watches with keen interest, recognizing the potential impact on future lunar missions and deep space exploration.
