---
title: "SpaceX Just Simulated a Lunar Landing With Its Rocket Engine"
description: "NASA and SpaceX test-fired a Raptor engine meant for a Moon mission from a cold start in order to simulate conditions in space."
date: "2023-09-18"
modified: "2023-09-18"
authors:
  - name: "Sharon Adarlo"
    job_title: "Correspondent"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/sadarlo"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/spacex-simulated-lunar-landing-raptor-engine"
categories:
  - "Space"
  - "SpaceX"
tags:
  - "moon"
  - "NASA"
  - "SpaceX"
  - "Starship"
  - "the digest"
---

# SpaceX Just Simulated a Lunar Landing With Its Rocket Engine

![NASA and SpaceX test-fired a Raptor engine meant for a Moon mission from a cold start in order to simulate conditions in space.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/spacex-simulated-lunar-landing-raptor-engine.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: SpaceX\</em\>*

## Fire & Ice

NASA and SpaceX notched an important milestone for their upcoming crewed lunar mission: test-firing a SpaceX engine from a cold start in order to simulate conditions in the extremely ice-cold vacuum of space, according to a [statement](<https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/2023/09/14/spacex-completes-engine-tests-for-nasas-artemis-iii-moon-lander/>) from the space agency.

SpaceX [released video footage](<https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1702382139331977713?s=20>) of the test on X-formerly-Twitter, showing the cold engine start of its Raptor engine last month. While lying face down, the engine successfully blasted a controlled jet of fire.

NASA is planning to use a [lunar variant of](<https://www.nasa.gov/content/about-human-landing-systems-development>)[ SpaceX's Starship](<https://www.nasa.gov/content/about-human-landing-systems-development>) spacecraft for the agency's [crewed Artemis missions](<https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/2023/09/14/spacex-completes-engine-tests-for-nasas-artemis-iii-moon-lander/>) to the lunar surface, slated for 2025. The lunar lander needs to operate from a cold start because NASA envisions that the spacecraft may have to sit in the frigid temperatures of outer space for a relatively long time compared to a mission orbiting the Earth, according to NASA.

In 2o21, [NASA awarded a $2.89 billion contract to SpaceX](<https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/as-artemis-moves-forward-nasa-picks-spacex-to-land-next-americans-on-moon>) for its lunar lander. Last year, [NASA awarded a contract option to SpaceX](<https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-spacex-second-contract-option-for-artemis-moon-landing-0>) to further develop its Starship spacecraft.

The test sets the stage for SpaceX's long-awaited, second orbital launch attempt. With a green light from the Federal Aviation Administration, the test flight could occur [as soon as next month](<https://www.cnet.com/science/space/giant-spacex-starship-could-fly-again-in-october/>).

## To the Moon

The SpaceX test is notable not only for passing a crucial technological checkbox and cementing further the alliance between the company and NASA — it's also a reminder of the burgeoning space race among world powers.

For example, last month, [India landed its Vikram spacecraft on the lunar surface](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/amazing-footage-indian-rover-lunar-surface>), near the south pole of the Moon.

A few weeks ago, [Japan sent into orbit a satellite](<https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/06/science/japan-launch-moon-xrism-slim.html>) and a [robotic moon lander](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/japanese-moon-mission-carrying-weird-rolling-robot>) that will attempt to touch down on the surface after a long, meandering journey of several months.

Earlier this year, China publicized [its ambitious plans to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030](<https://apnews.com/article/china-space-program-moon-368d45fa997307ae2c94bcd7e066e2b4>), ratcheting up its rivalry with the US.

But the race to the Moon and beyond is not without its perils. Case in point: Russia, which has been trying to follow up on the successes of the Soviet Union's space program, [crash-landed](<https://futurism.com/russia-moon-lander-crash>) during its recent attempt to explore the Moon's surface last month.

Despite these risky gambles, establishing a presence on the Moon is not just for international bragging rights. It serves as a[ launching pad to Mars and beyond](<https://www.axios.com/2023/08/15/moon-economic-geopolitical-science>) and could reward countries with an abundance of [space-based resources](<https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/moon-mars/a43065927/nasa-china-moon-mining-race/>) as well.

**More on SpaceX**: [*Spacex’s Botched Starship Launch Left Wildlife Officials Stunned*](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/spacex-starship-wildlife-officials-stunned>)