NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Doug Wheelock recently tested a scaled-down version of SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System elevator. The device represents a key component for future lunar missions, where a similar elevator could enable Artemis III and Artemis IV crews to move between the Moon’s surface and the Orion spacecraft in lunar orbit. The test outcomes were shared by the space agency as part of ongoing demonstrations of how a lunar return mission might operate with current and near-term technologies.
The lunar elevator model was constructed at SpaceX’s Hawthorne, California facility. It comprised a representative section of the cabin, complete with working mechanisms and controls designed to mimic real-life operations on the Moon. During测试, the astronauts wore spacesuits to reflect the mobility restrictions and suit constraints that would accompany extravehicular activities and transfers on the lunar surface, helping engineers gauge maneuverability, comfort, and safety in a constrained environment.
The Starship lander equipped with the HLS elevator is intended to facilitate smooth transfers between the lunar surface and the orbiting Orion spacecraft, where the remainder of the crew would be stationed during a lunar mission sequence. This capability is seen as a pivotal step in enabling sustained human presence on the Moon by allowing efficient, reliable movement of crew members and critical equipment between two zones of the mission architecture.
NASA has outlined Artemis III as a milestone for lunar exploration, with plans targeting a crewed landing in the mid-2020s. However, program timelines can shift as modifications and validations of the Starship-based system are reviewed. The agency emphasizes testing and iterative design as essential components of ensuring mission success and astronaut safety on future lunar surface operations.
Planetary science discussions in 2024 highlighted these developments as among the most notable advances in space exploration this year, underscoring the practical steps being taken to extend human activity beyond low Earth orbit. The focus remains on robust systems, rigorous testing, and the potential for long-term science and exploration benefits that such technologies could unlock for Canada, the United States, and international partners.