--- title: "Musk and Bezos Showdown: NASA Approves New Moon Landing Plan" description: "NASA has overhauled the Artemis lunar program, targeting a 2028 crewed landing, simplifying requirements for SpaceX and Blue Origin, and scrapping the Lunar Gateway." date: 2026-10-26T14:36:55.368Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/nasa-approves-new-moon-landing-plan-2028 tags: [nasa, artemis, spacex, blue-origin, moon, elon-musk] author: "Alexander Buran, Roman V." publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Musk and Bezos Showdown: NASA Approves New Moon Landing Plan ![Heavy rockets Starship and New Glenn on launch pads against the NASA Artemis logo and lunar surface](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/26/nasa-utverdilo-noviy-plan-vysadki-na-lunu-2028/nasa-utverdilo-noviy-plan-vysadki-na-lunu-2028-1.webp) ## Key Points - Crewed lunar landing is rescheduled for 2028 under the Artemis IV mission. - NASA canceled the Lunar Gateway station requirement to conserve resources and energy. - SpaceX will refuel Starship in low Earth orbit before heading to the Moon. - Blue Origin proposed a non-refueling architecture utilizing four New Glenn launches. NASA has announced a major overhaul of the Artemis lunar program architecture, scheduling the full crewed landing on the Moon for 2028. The updated strategy significantly simplifies technical requirements for private contractors SpaceX and Blue Origin lunar landers while canceling the mandatory use of the Lunar Gateway space station. ### New Flight Profile for SpaceX Starship The most significant change for the heavy Starship transportation system is the removal of the mandatory requirement to dock with the Orion spacecraft in a high-earth halo orbit. Under the new profile, refueling of the lunar lander will take place in low Earth orbit before the stack proceeds to the Moon. Four astronauts will travel inside the Orion spacecraft, with two transferring to Starship directly before descending to the lunar surface. The logistics and number of tanker launches required for Starship refueling remain a subject of debate between engineers and agency leadership. The NASA Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel estimates the necessary number of launches at approximately 22. Meanwhile, SpaceX founder Elon Musk insists that between 6 and 8 launches will suffice, although NASA leadership notes that Musk's estimate reflects a best-case technology development scenario. ### Blue Origin's Alternative Approach and New Glenn Meanwhile, aerospace company Blue Origin has proposed a concept that entirely eliminates the need for orbital refueling for initial missions. To achieve this, the heavy-lift New Glenn rocket will be utilized, requiring four launches. NASA is considering a docking profile between Orion and the Blue Moon lander in low lunar orbit at an altitude of several hundred kilometers. This technical solution significantly reduces the amount of propellant required for landing and ascent, while enhancing mission safety through additional abort and emergency return options. To deliver the Orion spacecraft into low lunar orbit, NASA is partnering with United Launch Alliance to develop an upgraded version of the Centaur V upper stage. ### Test Schedule and Artemis Program Outlook NASA head Jared Isaacman emphasized that the agency is proactively optimizing mission parameters to help private contractors navigate development challenges. An uncrewed test flight for Artemis III is scheduled for the summer of 2027, during which the crew will test docking procedures with both lunar landing systems in Earth orbit without touching down. The final contractor selection for the historic first astronaut landing during the Artemis IV mission in 2028 will depend on the actual readiness of the Starship and Blue Moon systems. The program's flexible approach opens new avenues for healthy competition among leading U.S. private space corporations. ## Accounts differ ### Number of Starship tanker launches - **NASA Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel:** Approximately 22 tanker launches are needed to refuel Starship ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/bitva-maska-i-bezosa-nasa-zatverdila-noviy-1793021851.html)) - **Elon Musk (SpaceX):** 6 to 8 launches will be required ([rbc.ua](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/bitva-maska-i-bezosa-nasa-zatverdila-noviy-1793021851.html)) *Where they agree:* Both parties acknowledge that a series of tanker launches is necessary to refuel the Starship spacecraft in Earth orbit. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Битва Маска и Безоса: NASA утвердило новый план высадки астронавтов на Луну](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/bitva-maska-i-bezosa-nasa-zatverdila-noviy-1793021851.html) - The original rbc.ua article confirms all core restructuring details of the Artemis program, dates, discrepancies in launch counts, and mission parameters. ## FAQ ### When is the crewed Moon landing scheduled under NASA's new plan? The full crewed landing on the lunar surface is scheduled for 2028 as part of the Artemis IV mission. ### How many tanker launches are required to refuel Starship according to Elon Musk? Elon Musk states that 6 to 8 launches will be required, while the NASA Safety Advisory Panel estimates the need for 22 launches. ### Will the Lunar Gateway space station be used? No, NASA decided to cancel the Lunar Gateway requirement to lower energy consumption and simplify mission architecture.