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Calls to return astronauts to the moon are growing, but NASA’s plan hinges on SpaceX’s Starship, still unproven. Six of its 10 test flights saw dramatic failures; a prototype recently exploded. Flight 11 could launch Monday at 7:15 p.m. ET from South Texas. Orbital refueling—a first—remains unresolved, with estimates ranging from roughly 10 to more than 40 tanker flights, rendering Artemis III in 2027 extraordinarily complex. Critics warn timelines will slip as China advances, while NASA defends its choice and an advisory panel expects the vehicle to be years late.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.