NASA Eyes SpaceX Starship for Moon Missions After Artemis V | SLS Future Uncertain

NASA Considers SpaceX Starship for Lunar Transport After Artemis V

NASA is exploring a significant shift in its Artemis program, potentially leveraging SpaceX’s Starship to transport the Orion capsule to the Moon beginning after the Artemis V mission. The move, first reported by Bloomberg, would see Orion launched to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) aboard the Space Launch System (SLS), then transferred to Starship for the remainder of the journey. This potential realignment reflects ongoing challenges with the SLS program and a desire to increase the frequency of lunar missions.

The SLS, while successfully launching the uncrewed Artemis I mission in 2022, has faced persistent delays and cost overruns. A recent budget proposal from the current administration initially suggested cancelling the SLS after Artemis III, though that decision was later revised. The appointment of Jared Isaacman, a former SpaceX customer, as NASA administrator has further fueled speculation about a potential re-evaluation of the agency’s launch vehicle strategy. Isaacman has publicly expressed a desire to accelerate the Artemis program’s cadence and utilizing Starship for lunar transport could be a key component of that effort.

The proposed shift doesn’t eliminate the need for the Orion capsule. Starship currently lacks a crew escape system and isn’t designed for the high-velocity re-entry required for returning from the Moon, meaning Orion remains essential for crew safety. However, offloading the lunar transit portion of the mission to Starship could significantly reduce the demands on the SLS and potentially lower overall costs.

Currently, Artemis III, slated for 2027, is being re-envisioned as a LEO test mission focused on validating lunar landing technologies. Actual lunar landings are now targeted for Artemis IV in 2028, with Artemis V potentially following in the same year. This revised schedule underscores the complexities of coordinating the various elements of the Artemis program, particularly the development and testing of SpaceX’s Starship.

The success of this plan hinges on Starship achieving orbital flight capability. The next test flight is scheduled for April 2026, and a successful demonstration of orbital operations would provide NASA with a two-year window to prepare Starship for its lunar transport role by 2028. According to a Spaceflight Now report from November 2024, NASA is closely monitoring Starship’s iterative test launches, receiving data from SpaceX and assessing the vehicle’s performance.

Implications for Boeing and Future Lunar Architecture

This potential shift in strategy carries significant implications for Boeing, the prime contractor for the SLS core stage. A reduced role for the SLS, or its eventual cancellation, would represent a substantial setback for the company. Alternatives to the SLS exist, such as Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, which is capable of lifting up to 45 metric tons – sufficient for launching Orion and its European Service Module. However, New Glenn is still under development and has not yet flown a crewed mission.

The evolving Artemis architecture highlights the program’s inherent flexibility and NASA’s willingness to adapt to changing circumstances. While the agency remains committed to returning humans to the Moon, the path forward is becoming increasingly reliant on commercial partnerships, particularly with SpaceX. NASA’s recent focus on standardizing the SLS configuration, as noted in a NASA press release from March 16, 2026, suggests a broader effort to streamline operations and reduce costs.

The coming months will be critical as NASA evaluates Starship’s performance and assesses the feasibility of integrating it into the Artemis program. Congressional approval will also be essential, as any major changes to the program’s architecture will likely require legislative support. Regardless of the final outcome, the current situation underscores the dynamic nature of space exploration and the challenges of achieving ambitious goals within budgetary constraints. The agency’s path back to the Moon remains far from settled, but the potential for a greater role for SpaceX’s Starship is now firmly on the table.