Key facts
By the
numbers.
| Built by | SpaceX for NASA |
|---|---|
| Height | ≈52.3 m |
| Diameter | 9 m |
| Heat shield | None, never re-enters Earth’s atmosphere |
| Landing engines | Mounted high on the hull |
| Crew access | Elevator to the lunar surface |
| Selected | 16 April 2021 |
The Real Rocket
Starship HLS Moon Lander: history, specs and milestones
Starship HLS is the lunar lander version of Starship, selected by NASA on 16 April 2021 to land astronauts on the Moon. It never returns to Earth, so it has no heat shield and no flaps. After NASA restructured Artemis in February 2026, the first crewed landing is planned for Artemis IV in early 2028, with Starship HLS or Blue Origin’s Blue Moon.
Facts checked October 2026 · sources below
By the
Milestones
Moments that
made history.
- NASA selection
SpaceX wins the Human Landing System contract, worth US$2.89 billion.
- Option B
NASA adds a second contract (US$1.15 billion) for an upgraded lander for a later mission.
- Elevator test
NASA astronauts test the design of the crew elevator.
- Flight 3
First test of moving cryogenic propellant between tanks inside a Starship in flight, a key step towards refuelling in orbit.
- Artemis restructure
Artemis III becomes a docking test in Earth orbit; Artemis IV becomes the first crewed landing.
Records & firsts
Worth
knowing.
- Designed to be the largest crewed lander ever built.
- Has to be refuelled in Earth orbit by a series of tanker Starships before it can fly to the Moon.
FAQ
Quick
answers.
When will Starship land on the Moon?
NASA plans the first crewed Artemis landing for Artemis IV in early 2028, with Starship HLS or Blue Moon. Artemis III (NET mid-2027) tests docking with the landers in Earth orbit.
Why does the Moon lander have no heat shield?
Starship HLS stays in space and never re-enters Earth’s atmosphere, so it needs neither heat shield nor flaps.
How many tanker flights does it need?
Estimates vary. SpaceX gave a figure of about ten in 2024; NASA officials had earlier spoken of up to the high teens.
How tall is Starship HLS?
About 52 metres, with the same 9-metre diameter as every Starship.
Sources
Checked
against.
The past
More we’ve built.
Custom models & B2B