![\"Earth](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779709394_548_.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
Image source: Getty Images.<\/p>\n
The problem<\/p>\n
SpaceX estimates it will need to launch 12 Starships, each fully loaded with methalox fuel (liquid methane and liquid oxygen), to fill up its Human Landing System in orbit. This will give HLS enough fuel to leave Earth orbit, travel to lunar orbit, dock with the Artemis IV Orion spacecraft, descend to the moon, and finally reascend to lunar orbit for another docking with Orion. Before this can happen, though, SpaceX must master the procedure for transferring cryogenic liquid fuel between Starships in orbit, first by demonstrating that it is feasible, then by repeating it — over and over and over again. <\/p>\n
At last report, SpaceX was planning to demonstrate orbital cryogenic fuel transfer between Starship tankers in June 2026. Starship is a bit behind schedule in its development, however, and there’s no guarantee it will accomplish this (which would require back-to-back Starship launches, by the way, probably no more than a week apart) next month. <\/p>\n
But hopefully soon.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, at Rocket Lab<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, NASA just announced plans to conduct its own cryogenic fuel transfer demonstration — SpaceX not included. <\/p>\n
As reported on NASA.gov last week, Rocket Lab (RKLB<\/a> +8.23%) has been hired to launch an Eta Space-built LOXSAT spacecraft on a nine-month mission to demonstrate “11 cryogenic fluid management technologies” in orbit, “including reducing boiloff, transferring propellant, maintaining tank pressure, and gauging propellant levels.” All of these will be “necessary for creating in-space propellant depots, essentially gas stations in space, that could support long-term exploration.”<\/p>\n They’ll also be essential for refueling Starships in orbit.<\/p>\n Today’s Change<\/p>\n (8.23%) $10.33<\/p>\n Current Price<\/p>\n $135.78<\/p>\n Key Data Points<\/p>\n Market Cap<\/p>\n $79B<\/p>\n Day’s Range<\/p>\n $131.34 – $139.74<\/p>\n 52wk Range<\/p>\n $25.24 – $139.76<\/p>\n Volume<\/p>\n 1.1M<\/p>\n Avg Vol<\/p>\n 24.3M<\/p>\n Gross Margin<\/p>\n 33.77%<\/p>\n What it means for Rocket Lab<\/p>\n Eta is a start-up<\/a> space company — so new that S&P Global Market Intelligence<\/a> doesn’t yet have any data on it. Rocket Lab’s role in the project is to provide the Electron rocket to launch LOXSAT and a Photon satellite bus to carry the payload to the correct orbit for the demonstration. A tentative launch date for LOXSAT has been set for July 17.<\/p>\n![\"Rocket](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779709394_863_.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n