Part 2 of the series discussed how to get People from LEO to LLO.

This series looks at the 6 key things needed to achieve such a mission.

The 6 Key Needs for Continuous Moon Mission

What does an ongoing Moon mission need?

1. People need to be ferried between Earth and LEO
2. People need to be ferried between LEO and Low Lunar Orbit (LLO)
3. People need to shuttle between LLO and Moon's surface
4. There needs to be a transfer point in LLO
5. Supplies and equipment need to be ferried to the Moon surface from Earth
6. A Moonbase on the surface needs to be established and continuously expanded (at least for a number of years)

This post looks at need 3.

3. People need to shuttle between LLO and Moon's surface

The HLS Starship can continue to be used for this purpose.

Once arriving on the Moon, an HLS Starship can launch to LLO and return to the surface 3 to 4 times before needing refueling.

They have the option to refuel in LLO if a tanker is sent, or do less landing and return to LEO to refuel. This is probably the simplest option on early missions until the tanker system is fully developed.

Initial HLS design has life support for up to 14 days with expected surface stays of around 6 to 7 days. The ship can remain in orbit for up to 100 days in a wait state without people.

Once the initial mission is deemed the first part of a continuous mission, this could easily be extended to support multiple Moon landings before needing servicing and refueling.

Currently Moon landing capable ships require the mid-section Draco engines in order to land on the Moon so as not to cause too much dust. However, if early missions prepare landing pads with a wide enough base, then these are not required.

Having a landing pad means that a standard Starship design could land on the moon, and as such the Draco engine version would become redundant and the HLS ship can be retired. This simplifies production and makes the ships more standard for other types of missions.

Next . . .

Part 4 The Continuous Moon Mission looks at key need 4, There needs to be a transfer point in LLO