NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Doug “Wheels” Wheelock have once again made strides toward the Artemis program’s lunar missions by testing a mock-up elevator system of SpaceX. This functional elevator is designed as an integral part of SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing Systems (HLS), a new spacecraft that will transport humans back to the Moon after the Apollo program. The tests performed with full mock-ups and suited crews are aimed at readiness to use the system for transporting people and goods between the Starship and the lunar surface, which is planned for implementation in 2025 at the earliest.

Tests of the lunar elevator system are being carried out at the SpaceX facility

For safety and effectiveness, NASA astronauts performed tests with the starship elevator system in space suits that simulated lunar conditions. Mann and Wheelock examined the controls, gate latches, and cargo area, and advised on how to get in and out safely.

The test performed at a SpaceX facility in California with a vertical-axis sub-scale model provided engineers useful information on how to improve the elevator in a way that will safely accommodate astronauts and gears up between the starship and the surface of the moon.

Artemis III Mission will make history by sending first woman and first person of color on the moon

The launch of Axiom Space’s suit into operational use is projected to be in 2025 within the timelines of the Artemis III mission yet might experience delays. These cutting-edge suits are engineered for the harsh conditions of the Moon allowing the astronauts more comfort and movement while walking on the surface of the moon.

The Starship HLS on the other hand is envisaged to provide accommodation for the crew on the moon for about a week before bringing them back to Orion in orbit around the moon. An elevator will play a key role in this operation since the habitable volume of the starship is situated above the lander.

The elevator will be marked for the region between the vehicle and the surface of the moon, allowing the astronauts to step out of the vehicle for a walk on the moon and into unexplored surfaces of the moon. SpaceX also integrates a camera system as the guidance system, as well as a broader picture of policies to reach the moon, the inclusion of the first female and colored person.

The equipment will assist astronauts in performing scientific research, sample collection, as well as testing of vital equipment for moon exploration.

The Artemis program: Exploring moon and other aspects of the world beyond the moon

NASA’s Artemis missions primarily considering the Starship HLS are laying the foundation for more extensive exploration objectives such as creative exploration to Mars. The Artemis program consists of various technologies including the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, Orion spacecraft, along with the lunar gateway.

Together such ingredients form a space exploration ecosystem that facilitates the accomplishment of NASA’s objectives in the long-range timeframe. The Artemis II mission is scheduled for 2024 and is planned to take 4 astronauts including one from the Canadian Space Agency around the Moon in the first-ever crewed flight testing of the Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket.

Artemis I, in 2022, was a mission where an unscrewed vehicle was sent around the moon, confirming that the Orion and SLS systems are fit for human operations. If the crew for Artemis II is deemed a success, they will conduct further validation activities of these systems in anticipation of further lunar missions including Artemis III that involve landing and surface operations.

The latest elevator test on the Starship conducted by NASA and SpaceX is a significant benchmark in the Artemis program as well as the development of human space exploration. With each mission NASA together with SpaceX are getting closer to achieving a moon mission as well as a Mars mission in the future creating a platform for further explorations and motivating generations to come.