Unlike terrestrial airports, it lacks runways or taxiways. Instead, engineers have published detailed strategies to manage spacecraft traffic in its planned near-rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO), a highly elongated path that brings the station as close as 1,500 kilometers to the Moon and as far as 70,000 kilometers. This orbit, selected for its fuel efficiency and communication benefits, requires precise navigation due to its instability, as small errors can drift spacecraft off course.
How Gateway’s Orbit Shapes Space Traffic Management
The NRHO’s unique geometry—sweeping over the lunar poles and maintaining a line of sight to Earth—presents a challenge for spacecraft docking. A team including NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Purdue University modeled thousands of trajectories to determine how Gateway and visiting vehicles can maintain safe spacing. The study divides traffic into four timescales, from port relocations taking hours to long-term loitering lasting 90 days. For medium-term cases, engineers propose a string of pearls
approach: spacecraft share the same orbital path but are separated in phase, with gaps measured in minutes rather than distance. Near the Moon’s closest approach (perilune), a short time gap can mean thousands of kilometers, while at the farthest point (apolune), the same gap shrinks to hundreds of kilometers.
This strategy balances proximity for efficient docking with margin to avoid collisions. The research, published in Acta Astronautica, builds on earlier tests like NASA’s CAPSTONE mission, which validated the NRHO’s feasibility. However, the orbit’s instability means regular corrections will be necessary, adding complexity to mission planning.
2028 Moon Landing Goal: SpaceX vs. Blue Origin
NASA aims to land astronauts on the Moon with Artemis 4 in late 2028, a deadline hinging on the readiness of SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System (HLS) and Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander. The agency selected both companies in 2021 and 2023, respectively, for crewed Artemis missions. However, recent revisions to the Artemis plan shifted the first lunar landing to 2028, with an Earth-orbit rendezvous in late 2027 as a precursor.
SpaceX has made progress on Starship, completing 49 milestones related to lunar life support, engine tests, and docking systems. The company’s 12th flight, expected later this month, will debut Version 3 of Starship, equipped with more powerful engines. Key hurdles include demonstrating orbital refueling—crucial for fueling the HLS for lunar missions—and long-duration life support. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman confirmed in an April 27 NASA budget hearing that SpaceX and Blue Origin assured him of their efforts to be ready.
Blue Origin, meanwhile, is pursuing a stepwise approach, starting with an uncrewed cargo lander (Mark 1) slated for a lunar mission later this year. However, its New Glenn rocket, which would launch the lander, remains grounded after a recent launch anomaly. The company’s crewed Blue Moon Mk2 lander, selected for Artemis 5 and beyond, faces delays as the agency reorients its plans. Both companies must meet tight deadlines to align with NASA’s revised timeline.
NASA’s Moon Base Vision and Funding
In March 2026, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced the “Ignition” initiative, prioritizing a permanent lunar base and deep-space exploration. The plan targets a moon base by early 2029, with a phased approach to infrastructure development. NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya emphasized shifting focus to a focused, phased architecture that builds capability landing by landing, incrementally.
These investments support the agency’s goal of returning to the moon, building a moon base, and establishing an enduring presence.
Unresolved Questions and Next Steps
Key uncertainties remain: Can SpaceX and Blue Origin meet the 2028 deadline? How will Gateway’s unstable orbit impact mission planning? And will NASA’s phased approach to the lunar base overcome technical and budgetary challenges? The agency’s upcoming Requests for Information (RFIs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) will clarify its path forward. For now, the success of Artemis hinges on the interplay of orbital mechanics, engineering precision, and the readiness of private partners.
