SpaceX Starship: Moon Mission without Super Heavy Booster

The SpaceX Starship is designed to be a fully reusable spacecraft capable of carrying a variety of payloads including crew and cargo to destinations such as the Moon and Mars. To determine if Starship could make it to the Moon and back without the Super Heavy booster we need to consider several key factors, including Delta-V requirements, the payload to fuel ratio, and the mission flight profile.

Delta-V Requirements

The delta-v, or delta-V requirements for a mission to the Moon and back are significant. Estimates suggest around 3000 m/s for a lunar descent and ascent, plus additional velocity for translunar injection (TLI) and the return to Earth. This means the spacecraft must be capable of achieving the necessary velocity changes to perform these complex actions.

Payload to Fuel Ratio

If Starship were to replace some or all of its 100-ton payload capacity with extra fuel, it would increase the total mass of fuel available for the mission. Currently, Starship is designed to carry a maximum of about 1200 tons of propellant, which could theoretically be adjusted by reducing other payload elements. This adjustment could make a lunar mission more feasible.

Flight Profile

The mission profile would involve launching from Earth, entering low Earth orbit (LEO), performing a translunar injection (TLI), landing on the Moon, and then returning to Earth. The spacecraft would need to have enough fuel for the entire mission, including maneuvers in orbit and landing. The operation of Starship without the Super Heavy booster would require an immense amount of fuel to achieve the necessary velocity to escape Earth's gravity and enter LEO.

Feasibility

Without the Super Heavy booster, launching a fully fueled Starship would be challenging. The Super Heavy booster provides the initial thrust needed to lift the Starship off the ground and into orbit. While theoretically possible, carrying additional fuel instead of a payload would be more feasible for a lunar mission. However, it would still require a significant amount of fuel to achieve the necessary Delta-V to escape Earth's gravity and complete the mission.

Conclusion

In summary, while it is theoretically possible for Starship to make a lunar mission without the Super Heavy booster by carrying extra fuel instead of cargo, it would be highly inefficient and challenging. The Super Heavy booster is crucial for providing the necessary thrust to reach orbit, and without it, Starship would struggle to achieve the velocity needed for a successful lunar mission. A fully fueled Starship might have enough fuel for the lunar mission itself, but the launch from Earth would still be a significant barrier without the booster.