Part 1 of the series looked at the overall mission profile for a dedicated SpaceX HLS Starship moon mission.
It's logical so just do it!
This post looks at the benefits of such a mission.
Benefits of a HLS-only Moon mission
The overall benefit of such a mission is people end up on the Moon sooner that any other options and it lays the path for on-going Moon colonization without lengthy delays.
Cost
A SpaceX only mission will be a fraction of the cost of a combined Artemis mission. This needs no further explanation.
Timing
An HLS only Moon mission will happen sooner than the alternatives.
Future followup missions will also happen years sooner due to Starship production rates and re-usability.
They are also not hindered by other timelines.
The ships from the first mission will also be ready immediately after the first completes and as such can role directly into ongoing colonization missions.
Reliability
SpaceX has a proven track record of reliability with Crew Dragon and will apply this expertise to the HLS. If the HLS Starship will work for the Artemis, then it will work even better as a dedicate offering.
Rapid production
With the ramping up of their production capability in Florida and Texas, SpaceX is about to produce more ships, which means rapid implementation of any changes needed.
It also means that if some of the ships need to be retired early due to being the first, then replacements will already be in production.
Redundancy
Two ships on the first mission, both capable of Moon landing, ensures there is a margin of safety and redundancy.
As the ships are also the same, no extra training is needed if the ship roles are changed during the first mission.
Future preparation
Leaving one ship in LLO sets up for the start of future missions. It could even be left with some crew on board as the start of an ongoing lunar station.
The ship returned to LEO is also ready to return to the Moon as soon as it is refueled and recrewed.
As there is not plan for heat shields on the HLS Starships, the logical move is to refuel them and start the next phase of the mission to colonize the Moon.
Payload capacity
Starship can carry a payload of between 100 and 200 tons. This gives many options on what can be transported on the moon mission. Far more than any other options.
A full payload it not expected on the first lander as it is only planed as a short mission trial. The following return mission can capitalize on Starships full capability to rapidly start building a permanent base on the Moon.
Next . . .
Part 3 of the Dedicated HLS Starship Moon Mission ask "Can it be achieved?".
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