SpaceX's new Dragon Upgraded to Launch to the Moon instead of Starship Problem...

"SpaceX's new Dragon Upgraded to Launch to the Moon instead of Starship Problem...
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#techmap #techmaps #elonmusk #starshipspacex #spacex
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intro 0:00
The challenges of transition 1:15
Old but gold 5:54
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SpaceX's new Dragon Upgraded to Launch to the Moon instead of Starship Problem...
NASA is betting big on SpaceX’s Starship for one of the most ambitious missions of our time—returning humans to the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17, way back in 1972.
This mission? Artemis 3. And it’s scheduled for just two years from now, in 2027.
But here's the thing... Starship isn't ready. Not even close.
The current Block 2 hardware is still struggling through test flights—and the version NASA actually needs for the Moon, Block 3, hasn't even flown yet.
So the question becomes: what if the future of lunar exploration... lies in a spacecraft we already have?
Enter Crew Dragon. Flight-proven. Battle-tested. And quietly waiting on the sidelines.
It’s the spacecraft that’s been carrying astronauts to space like a pro—but could it go beyond low Earth orbit? Could Dragon really fly to the Moon?
NASA shelved this idea years ago... but maybe it’s time to flip the script.
In today’s episode of Techmap, we’re diving deep into the Dragon-to-the-Moon concept—from propulsion hacks to lunar landing workarounds.
SpaceX's new Dragon Upgraded to Launch to the Moon instead of Starship Problem...
When diving into one of NASA’s most controversial and eye-opening programs, it’s impossible not to talk about the infamous duo: the Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft. And trust me, the numbers are nothing short of jaw-dropping.
To date, SLS development alone has racked up a staggering $24 billion. Each launch? A mind-blowing $4 billion. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The infrastructure supporting SLS—like the much-delayed Mobile Launcher 2—has ballooned in cost, with that one project alone possibly costing up to $2.7 billion, way beyond what was originally budgeted.
Zooming out, the larger Artemis campaign, which leans heavily on SLS, is projected to cost $93 billion between 2012 and 2025. A massive chunk of that is tied directly to SLS.
SpaceX's new Dragon Upgraded to Launch to the Moon instead of Starship Problem...
Now, let’s not forget Orion—because it’s not looking much better. The Orion spacecraft has already seen around $20 billion in cost overruns. The project continues to be plagued by technical problems, from life support to heat shield issues.
What’s more troubling is that NASA’s own Office of Inspector General has pointed out that Orion’s life cycle costs leave out roughly $17.5 billion in related expenses, which conveniently hides the true financial burden.
Since 2015, Orion has racked up over $900 million in additional costs. Contracts with Lockheed Martin show $900 million was allocated for the first three Orion capsules, and another $633 million for the next three, with annual spending hovering between $1.1 and $1.4 billion in recent years.
As taxpayers, it’s frustrating—if not infuriating—to see billions of dollars seemingly evaporate into projects that struggle to meet deadlines and budgets. So when the White House’s 2026 budget proposal explicitly recommends phasing out SLS and Orion after Artemis 3, it’s no surprise that public interest—and perhaps even hope—spikes. Finally, it seems like someone might be trying to rein in spending and bring some accountability to space exploration.
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