Some of the key advantages of a dedicated HLS Moon mission are not actually the mission itself (except for the amazing return of people to the Moon), but how soon it can be done and the ability to continue followup Moon missions immediately afterward.
This would bring Moon habitation forward by many years.
Part 1 to 3 of the series sets the scenario for future lunar missions. One HLS ship remains in Low Lunar Orbit (LLO) and one in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
The HLS Starship cannot land on Earth as it has no heat shield and is not designed to, however it can be refueled in LEO and return to LLO.
The HLS Starship in LLO has enough fuel to do a moon landing two or three more times, stay in LLO as an orbital Moon station, or return to LEO.
This sets up the possibility of a continues Moon mission and the start of full colonization
HLS Moon Mission 2
To truly make any progress with expansion on the Moon there needs to be a constantly occupied base, developing into a full colony.
Under current Artemis plans, it will be a very long time before any real meaningful base and habitat begins on the Moon. However, after the dedicated Starship HLS mission, this can start to take shape immediately.
A second mission with almost the same profile as the first could be undertaken immediately by refueling and restocking the HLS ship and returning to the Moon.
More Starships could also be prepared a continuous cycle of Moon development missions as soon as they are ready.
At the start, individuals may only stay short term as they rotate on and off the surface. However, over time larger and larger numbers will come on a more permanent basis.
The Continues Moon Mission
What does an ongoing Moon mission need?
- People need to be ferried between Earth and LEO
- People need to be ferried between LEO and Low Lunar Orbit (LLO)
- People need to shuttle between LLO and Moon's surface
- There needs to be a transfer point in LLO
- Supplies and equipment need to be ferried to the Moon surface from Earth
- A Moonbase on the surface needs to be established and continuously expanded (at least for a number of years)
To achieve these things, an on-going mission profile using Starships, several things can be established.
It is a reasonable goal to suggest one lunar mission every month within six months of the first dedicated HLS Moon mission.
Exciting times ahead!
Next . . .
Part 5 of the Dedicated HLS Starship Moon Mission series takes a more in depth look at these six needs to see if they can be met.
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