I recently heard of a suggestion that the Artimus moon landing was at risk for a number of reasons so the suggestion was to take the best from several companies and have them cooperate to ensure it happens soon.
The basic plan was the SpaceX Super Heavy Booster, ULA’s Centaur V as a second stage, and Blue Origins Moon Lander.
It all sounded very logical and feasible. With just a few adjustments there would be the ultimate get-to-the-moon first mission, in only a few years.
However . . . it forgot one very important factor . . . HLS.
By itself, HLS can complete the Moon mission without anyone else.
If might seem simple to take the best of the three and get things going, but it's not. Even the detail that SpaceX can mass produce and the others can't means testing and integration is riskier than the Starship program.
For SpaceX to continue with HLS development, to mass produce and test HLS ships, will end up being a much cleaner, faster solution.
Probably one, but definitely two, HLS Starships can complete a Moon landing mission without the need of any Artimus or other third party help as all.
This is a much more straight forward plan with a much higher chance of success.
If NASA doesn't adopt an HLS only mission, then maybe SpaceX and Jarrad Isaacman could just do it.
Just do it - why not?
