– Why is the current SpaceX challenge different than their solution going to the space station?

Question

I understand that SpaceX is able to deliver material goods and personal to the international space station.

I don’t understand why the design to take people to the moon is substantially different, and why it’s failing while getting to low earth orbit.

In: Engineering

Answer 1

SpaceX’s current rocket, the Falcon 9, can take a couple people and some gear to the ISS. Starship is bigger than the entirety of the ISS (by internal volume).