Latest estimate for Starship launches required to support a Moon landing? 22.

Key points

• A NASA safety panel member has estimated that about 22 flights are needed to refuel the Starship lander before a planned Moon landing. The number would be a major challenge for the mission, which NASA is still aiming to complete in 2028.
• SpaceX founder Elon Musk replied that the estimate is far too high and said the real figure would be six to eight. Uncertainty remains over how much fuel will boil off in orbit and how efficiently it can be transferred between ships.
• NASA is working with SpaceX and Blue Origin to remove obstacles to their lander development.