At the beginning of next year, SpaceX aims to conduct the first-ever tests of docking two Starship spacecraft in orbit, with the aim of working out the technology of refueling one spacecraft to another. This is a key step on the way to missions to the Moon and Mars, as in-flight fuel transfer will significantly increase the range and efficiency of interplanetary flights.
Long-distance space travel is limited by the size and capacity of rocket cargo bays, which cannot hold enough fuel for complex missions like an expedition to Mars. To reach Mars, it is necessary not only to have a sufficient supply of fuel for the flight, but also to provide braking during landing. However, the more fuel that is loaded into a rocket to lift into orbit, the more additional fuel is required for the launch vehicle itself. Refueling in orbit will significantly reduce the total fuel consumption, opening up new opportunities for long-distance flights and the delivery of large cargoes to future colonies on other planets.
The deadline for these tests is set for the summer, SpaceX spokesman Bill Choinacki said, to allow time to move the date in case of unforeseen circumstances. However, he did not name the exact date of the deadline, and it is not known how exactly SpaceX plans to act if it does not make it in time.
