SpaceX vs NASA- Who will get us to the moon first?

The last manned mission to the moon was in 1972-that was almost 50 years ago. The urge to step foot on the moon again is high with the advancements and the start of commercial human space flights. The top contenders to perform this feat are SpaceX’s Starship and NASA’s Space Launch System. SpaceX vs NASA: Which organization will take us to the Moon first?

SpaceX’s Starship

Unlike other rockets that go through multiple stages before reaching orbit, Starship will have only two-Super Heavy and Starship. The raptor rocket engine powered super heavy runs on a combination of a fuel cell. The fuel cell provides energy by combustion of liquid oxygen and liquid methane.

This new-age rocket also gives a 15 million pound thrust, which is twice that of Apollo rockets. The Starship sits above Super Heavy along with the six raptor engines that power it. It can operate both within the planetary atmosphere and in a vacuum. It also boasts movable wings to glide and has a good landing efficiency on Mars, Moon, and the Earth.

The Starship’s prototype-SN8 was demonstrated successfully in December 2020. Despite its malfunctioning, there are high hopes for another test flight.

NASA’s Space Launch System

Space Launch System (SLS) is inspired by NASA’s most robust rocket-Saturn V. The rocket is powered by four RS-25 engines. SLS’s core can hold more than 3.3 million liters of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. Its core has rocket boosters that provide a total of 8.2 million pounds of thrust at launch to lift off. The last stage of the capsule gets powered by a compact RL-10 engine and helps reduce load. 

The SLS with Orian’s crew capsule can support a crew for three weeks to the moon and back. The SLS with Artemis can perform tasks that current NASA rockets cannot. It will also have large acrylic windows for a gorgeous space view. 

Unfortunately, the core and boosters of the rocket might not be reusable since they will not land but get dropped in the ocean. But, despite the higher cost associated, the SLS can carry up to 120 tonnes compared to the Starship’s meager.

SpaceX vs NASA

At the moment, the winner is NASA’s Artemis 2 that uses SLS! They will be doing a flyby of the Moon in August 2023. Despite having potential, SpaceX does not have a specific date for the launch. But, it does have lunar space tourism planned for 2023 and a Mars mission in or after 2024.