Starship/Artemis Update: Elon Gives Starship Update, Plans Revealed for Mars, SLS Flights Delayed

Credit: SpaceX

There has been a lot of things happening recently with Starship and Artemis. Here is a round-up for those who haven't been able to follow the progress.

Elon Gives Starship Update

On November 19, Elon Musk gave an update at National Academies of Sciences' Space Studies Board and the Board on Physics and Astronomy. Here are some highlights:

- OLS Completion this month

- Many tests in December

- FAA Approval by Dec. 31

- Launch in January

- Very likely failure

- First payloads on Starship in 2023

- 12 or more launches next year

Mars Base Alpha

SpaceX, in a contest submission, revealed some plans for Mars Base Alpha in a PDF. Here are some highlights:

- First, send a Starship to test landing as early in 2022/2023.

- Then send multiple Starships carrying cargo to Mars in 2024/2025.

- Then send the first crew at the end of the decade.

- Starships will be used for living spaces and laboratories at first before permanent habitats are built.

Read the full document here.

NASA OIG releases Document Showing Artemis Delays and Starship Timeline

The NASA Office of Inspector General has released a document showing Artemis delays and Starship schedule. Here are some highlights:

- Artemis I now no earlier than Feb. 17, and shouldn't be delayed to later than Summer 2022.

Credit: NASA OIG

Description: Artemis Schedule from earlier this year

- Artemis II now no earlier than early 2024.

- Moon Landing may be moved to Artemis IV.

- Moon Landing no earlier than 2025, but may be pushed further to 2027.

- Starship Refueling Demonstration in Q4 2022.

- Starship Long Duration Flight Test in 2023.

- Starship HLS Landing Test in 2024.

Credit: NASA OIG

Description: Artemis III Plan

Upcoming Important Events

- DART, the planetary defense test to protect Earth against asteroids, will launch on November 24 on Falcon 9.

Credit: NASA

Description: Image Concept of DART

- Potential second six-engine static fire of Starship, per road closures

- Booster 5 testing starting soon

- ULA's Atlas V STP-3 and LCRD launch in December

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