SpaceX says it has completed 49 lunar lander contract milestones and outlines a simpler Moon mission plan

SpaceX/Starship HLS

SpaceX announced it had completed 49 milestones for NASA's Human Landing System program, including full-scale life-support demonstrations, docking adapter qualification and engine throttle tests for descent. The company proposed a simpler mission plan to NASA to accelerate Moon landings.

• Completed milestones cover subsystems: life support, docking, landing legs, descent engines.
• Full-scale cabin module tested with multiple crew members aboard for environmental control and thermal systems.
• Docking system based on proven Dragon 2 design; leg drop tests on lunar regolith simulants.
• SpaceX only receives funding on completed milestones; vast majority achieved on schedule or early.