NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Doug Wheelock recently tested a sub-scale mockup elevator for SpaceX’s Starship. The elevator will transport the Artemis crew from SpaceX’s Starship to the lunar surface. The elevator will be the portal from which the first woman and person of color step onto the moon.
The Starship’s payload bay is planned to measure 17 m (56 ft) tall and 8 m (26 ft) in diameter with an internal volume of 1,000 m3 (35,000 cu ft). The Starship has a total propellant capacity of 1,200 t (2,600,000 lb) across its main tanks and header tanks.
NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Doug Wheelock recently tested a sub-scale mockup elevator for SpaceX’s Starship human landing system (HLS). The elevator will be used for NASA’s Artemis III and IV missions to the Moon
The elevator is a crucial element to SpaceX’s solution for getting humans from space to the moon’s surface. It will be the portal from which the first woman and person of color step onto the moon.
The mockup is full-sized except for the height of the track. It has more detailed hardware than anything seen before, with most of it being exposed stainless steel.
NASA is testing a small mockup of a SpaceX elevator that will carry astronauts from their spacecraft to the lunar surface. The elevator is a key part of SpaceX’s plan to get humans from space to the moon’s surface. The elevator could also be used to transport supplies and materials from the moon to Earth’s orbit
The elevator mockup has a full-scale basket section with mechanical assemblies and crew interfaces for testing. During the demonstration, NASA astronauts wore spacesuits that simulate the suit size and mobility constraints that crew will face on the Moon.
If all goes as planned, the elevator will be ready for the Artemis 3 and 4 missions, scheduled for 2025 and 2028
To travel to the moon, astronauts must first leave Earth’s gravity well. This is currently only possible with a rocket, which can continue accelerating outside the atmosphere.
To get to the moon, astronauts must:
- Travel fast enough to escape Earth’s gravity, which is 25,000 miles per hour.
- Once in orbit around Earth, fire thrusters to change trajectory and head to the moon.
The Apollo spacecraft had three components: a command module, a service module, and a lunar module. The Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) was a battery-powered “dune buggy” that was taken to the moon on Apollo missions 15, 16, and 17. The LRV was stowed on the descent stage of the Lunar Module and deployed upon arrival at the lunar surface.
The elevator is part of SpaceX’s Starship human landing system, which will carry two astronauts to the moon and serve as their home for about a week. The elevator is expected to be ready for NASA’s Artemis 3 and 4 missions, scheduled for 2025 and 2028.
NASA’s Artemis program aims to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon. The program includes the Space Launch System (SLS), the Orion spacecraft, the Lunar Gateway space station, and the commercial Human Landing Systems
The Artemis program has several goals, including:
- Landing the first woman and person of color on the Moon
- Exploring more of the lunar surface than ever before
- Establishing the first long-term presence on the Moon
- Laying the groundwork for a future trip to Mars
The Artemis 3 mission is planned to be the first crewed Moon landing mission of the Artemis program. It’s also planned to be the first American crewed lunar landing since Apollo 17 in December 1972.
The elevator is part of SpaceX’s Starship human landing system (HLS). The elevator will transport crew and equipment between the Starship’s habitable area and the lunar surface
The Starship is 160 feet tall, with the crew quarters located near the top. The elevator will transport crew and supplies from the crew quarters down to the surface.
SpaceX has built a prototype of the HLS elevator at its facility in Hawthorne, California. The prototype features a full-scale basket with functioning mechanical components and controls.
The Human Landing System (HLS) is a spacecraft that will transport astronauts and cargo from the Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway (LOP-G) to the surface of the moon. It is part of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to land humans on the moon, including the first woman and person of color
The HLS will also provide a habitat for astronauts during their stay on the moon, which is expected to last about a week. It will then transport the astronauts back to the Orion spacecraft
Here’s how the Starship HLS will work:
- Board the HLS: Astronauts will board the HLS in lunar orbit.
- Descend to the surface: Astronauts will descend to the surface to collect samples, perform science experiments, and observe the lunar environment.
- Return to orbit: Astronauts will return to orbit in the HLS.
The Starship HLS is different from earlier HLS designs, which had multiple stages. The Starship HLS functions as both an ascent and descent stage. It has six Raptor engines mounted at the tail, which are used during launch and most of the landing and ascent.
The Starship has multiple communications systems that enable it to relay information to Earth, Orion, astronauts on the lunar surface, and the Gateway space station in lunar orbit
The Starship’s payload bay is 56 ft tall and 26 ft in diameter, with an internal volume of 35,000 cubic ft. This is slightly larger than the International Space Station’s pressurized volume.
The Starship is 164 ft tall and has a diameter of 29.5 ft. When fully stacked on the Super Heavy booster, the Starship stands 397 ft tall and is about 30 ft in diameter.
According to SpaceX, the Starship could hold up to a crew of 100
SpaceX claims the Starship has a habitable volume of about 1,000 cubic meters, which is larger than the International Space Station.
NASA has calculated the minimal habitable volume ratio for astronauts on long space flights at 25 cubic meters
SpaceX has commissioned computer renderings and designs of the Starship’s interior. Some interior concepts include:
- Mess hall: A multi-functional space for dining, socializing, and enjoying the view
- Concept by Paul King: A detailed layout for 20–40 people
- Concepts by Jim Murphy: Interior concepts for the Starship by an aircraft interior designer
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