Moon Landing Needs 22 Launches

United StatesA NASA adviser cites 22 refuelling flights for Artemis IV.

NASA is still working toward a crewed lunar landing in 2028.

SpaceX must launch a depot ship, then tankers to fill it with liquid oxygen and methane before the lander leaves orbit.

“Actual number will be more like 6 to 8,” said SpaceX founder Elon Musk.

SpaceX needs about three months to fuel one depot, even at twice-weekly launches by the end of 2027.

How each outlet framed it

Ars Technica: reconstructs the NASA range of 'high single digits to low double digits' tanker launches and the officials' doubts about Starship lift gains