SpaceX Confident Starship Will Achieve Orbital Refueling by Next Year

Reaching the Moon with Starship is one of SpaceX’s most ambitious goals — and one of its greatest engineering challenges. To succeed, the spacecraft must carry enough propellant for both the journey there and the return trip. That’s why developing a reliable method to refuel Starship while in orbit has become such a critical part of the mission.

For years, the idea of transferring cryogenic fuel between spacecraft in space has seemed daunting. It involves extreme temperatures, precise maneuvering, and complex fluid dynamics. Yet, according to SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell, the company is on track to demonstrate this capability as soon as next year.

Shotwell recently said that SpaceX’s confidence stems from its long history of iterative testing and success with spacecraft docking. Elon Musk has also emphasized that docking two Starships should be simpler than docking with the International Space Station — a task SpaceX’s Dragon capsules already perform routinely.

The current plan involves launching two Starships in sequence: one acting as a tanker and the other as the mission vehicle. After both reach orbit, they will rendezvous and connect to transfer propellant. Another potential approach involves deploying a dedicated orbital depot where multiple tankers could store fuel in advance for later missions. Either option demands mastering highly technical docking and cryogenic transfer systems — something no one has yet done.

Still, SpaceX leadership remains optimistic. The company has repeatedly turned “impossible” goals into achievements, from landing reusable rockets to sending cargo and crew to the ISS. If successful, orbital refueling will be the next major step toward making regular lunar travel — and eventually Mars missions — a reality.

CREDITS: GREAT SPACEX

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