Starship Propellant Transfer Demonstration

This article is about the propellant transfer demo between Starship vehicles. For the initial propellant transfer demo between tanks on a single vehicle, see Starship flight test 3.

Starship Propellant Transfer Demonstration
Mission typeFlight test
OperatorSpaceX
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeStarship
ManufacturerSpaceX
Start of mission
Launch dateNET 2026
RocketSuper Heavy
Launch siteStarbase, OLP-A or OLP-B
Deployed fromStarbase, Texas
End of mission
Landing siteStarbase, Texas
Orbital parameters
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Payload
Liquid Methane (CH4), Liquid Oxygen (LOX)

The SpaceX Starship Propellant Transfer Demo is a demonstration of essential capabilities required for refueling a Starship in low-Earth orbit. It is expected to occur in 2026. A somewhat similar test occurred during the Starship flight test 3, though the transfer during that test was between two tanks on the same vehicle. The ability to refuel a Starship in low orbit is critical for the NASA Artemis program, as Starship HLS (Human Landing System) requires approximately ten tanker launches of propellant to a depot in orbit to refuel a Starship sufficiently to then reach the lunar surface.

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