U.S. government regulators are concerned about Starship.
"If the lander encounters a catastrophic event, the U.S. will lack the capability to rescue astronauts stranded in space or on the lunar surface."
As reported by CNN on May 22.
According to a recently released report, NASA's independent safety advisory panel—the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel—has expressed concern over Starship's complexity and the substantial technical risks involved in using this spacecraft for lunar missions, citing "its complex operational design, intricate operational concepts, and challenges within the ongoing flight test program."
A report from NASA's Inspector General highlights "gaps" in Starship's "test posture and crew survival analysis."
"If the lander encounters a catastrophic event, NASA knows it will lack the ability to rescue astronauts trapped in space or on the lunar surface," the report states.
SpaceX has not directly responded to these reports.
However, in a statement issued in October 2025, the company said:
"To enable Americans to return to the Moon, SpaceX is advancing Starship development along two paths: first, the development of the core Starship system and associated infrastructure—including production facilities, testing facilities, and launch sites—funded entirely by SpaceX, accounting for over 90% of the system’s cost;
second, the development of a dedicated HLS Starship configuration that leverages and enhances the core vehicle’s capabilities to meet NASA’s requirements for transporting crews to the Moon and returning them safely to Earth."
SpaceX is currently fulfilling a contract with NASA worth approximately $4 billion, which the company emphasizes is a "fixed-price" agreement—meaning SpaceX will not receive additional funding if progress lags or development does not proceed as expected.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865934664925191/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.