Here are the launches and landings we’re most excited about in 2026
The Year of Space Exploration: 20 Missions to Watch in 2026
As we enter a new year, the space industry is poised for significant advancements, with numerous missions scheduled to launch and make history in 2026. From NASA's Artemis II mission to China's Chang'e 7 lunar exploration program, this year promises to be an exciting time for space enthusiasts and scientists alike.
1. Artemis II: The First Crewed Mission to the Moon's Far Side
The Artemis II mission, scheduled to launch in February, will be the first crewed flight on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft. The mission will carry astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen around the far side of the Moon and back to Earth. This historic mission marks a significant step towards NASA's goal of returning humans to the Moon by 2024.
2. Starship Refueling Demo: A Key to Unlocking Interplanetary Travel
SpaceX's Starship refueling demo is a critical step towards making interplanetary travel a reality. The demonstration will involve two Starship launches from separate launch pads, which will link up together in orbit and attempt to transfer super-cold methane and liquid oxygen propellants to each other. This technology is essential for Starship's ability to travel beyond low-Earth orbit and eventually reach Mars.
3. Catch of Starship: A Major Leap Towards Reusability
SpaceX plans to debut its next version of Starship, Starship Version 3 (V3), with an inaugural test flight in the next few months. The first flight of Starship V3 will look a lot like SpaceX's past Starship test flights, with the rocket launching from South Texas and flying on a suborbital arc halfway around the world for a precise ocean landing. If successful, this mission will be a major leap towards making Starship fully reusable.
4. Blue Moon Mark 1: The Largest Spacecraft to Land on the Moon
Blue Origin's first lunar lander, Blue Moon Mark 1, is a behemoth that stands over 26 feet tall and is more than 10 feet in diameter. The lander will launch on a New Glenn rocket and is scheduled to land on the Moon's surface in 2026. This mission will be a significant accomplishment for Blue Origin and marks a major step towards establishing a human presence on the Moon.
5. Rocket Lab's Neutron Debut: A New Era for Small Launchers
Rocket Lab's Neutron rocket is designed to be a medium-lift launcher with a reusable first stage and integrated payload fairing. The rocket is scheduled to launch in 2026 and will open new markets for Rocket Lab. Neutron will be capable of launching payloads to low-Earth orbit and beyond, making it an attractive option for small satellite operators.
6. Stoke's Nova Rocket: A Fully Reusable Launcher
Stoke Space's Nova rocket is designed to be a fully reusable launcher, with a recoverable booster and upper stage. The rocket is scheduled to launch in 2026 and will be a significant achievement for Stoke Space. Nova will be capable of launching payloads to low-Earth orbit and beyond, making it an attractive option for small satellite operators.
7. China's Moon Ship: A Critical Test of China's Lunar Architecture
China's Moon ship, Mengzhou, is a partially reusable spacecraft designed to carry up to seven people to the China's Tiangong space station or a smaller crew on voyages to the Moon. The spacecraft is scheduled to launch in 2026 and will be a critical test of China's lunar architecture.
8. China's Reusable Rocket: A Major Achievement for China's Space Program
China's reusable rocket, Zhuque-3, is a medium-class rocket developed by a commercial startup named LandSpace. The rocket successfully reached orbit on its debut flight in December and is close to recovering and reusing its booster stage. This achievement marks a major milestone for China's space program and demonstrates the country's capabilities in reusable rocket technology.
9. Vast's Haven-1: A Commercial Space Station in Orbit
Vast's Haven-1 is a commercial space station under construction for launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The space station will be capable of hosting private crews for up to 10-day stays and marks a significant achievement for the commercial space industry.
10. NASA's Roman Space Telescope: A Flagship-Class Astronomical Observatory
NASA's Roman Space Telescope is a flagship-class astronomical observatory designed to perform wide-area surveys of the Universe. The telescope will have a field of view at least 100 times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope and will be capable of detecting exoplanets and other celestial objects.
11. China's Chang'e 7 Mission: A Lunar Exploration Program
China's Chang'e 7 mission is a lunar exploration program designed to send a lander to the Moon's south pole region and deploy a miniature flying probe to search for water ice in cold traps hidden on the floors of dark craters. The mission is scheduled to launch in 2026 and will be a significant achievement for China's space program.
12. Europe's Commercial Launchers: A New Era for Small Launchers
Europe's commercial launchers, including Isar Aerospace, Rocket Factory Augsburg, and PLD Space, are developing small satellite launchers that will be capable of launching payloads to low-Earth orbit and beyond. These launchers will be an attractive option for small satellite operators and will mark a new era for small launchers.
13. Relativity Space's Terran R: A Heavy-Lift Launcher
Relativity Space's Terran R is a heavy-lift launcher designed to be capable of launching payloads to low-Earth orbit and beyond. The rocket is scheduled to launch in 2026 and will be a significant achievement for Relativity Space.
14. Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Mission 2: A Lunar Exploration Program
Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Mission 2 is a lunar exploration program designed to send a lander to the Moon's far side and deploy a miniature flying probe to search for water ice in cold traps hidden on the floors of dark craters. The mission is scheduled to launch in 2026 and will be a significant achievement for Firefly Aerospace.
15. Astroscale's Refueler: A Satellite Servicing Mission
Astroscale's refueler is a satellite servicing mission designed to refuel a US military satellite above geosynchronous orbit. The mission is scheduled to launch in 2026 and will be a significant achievement for Astroscale.
16. Europe's Plato Mission: A Planet Hunter
Europe's Plato mission is a planet hunter designed to search for exoplanets by detecting tiny dips in light as planets pass in front of other stars. The mission is scheduled to launch in 2026 and will be a significant achievement for Europe's space program.
17. India's Gaganyaan Orbital Test Flight: A Human Spaceflight Program
India's Gaganyaan orbital test flight is a human spaceflight program designed to send a crew to low-Earth orbit. The mission is scheduled to launch in 2026 and will be a significant achievement for India's space program.
18. Japan's Martian Moons Exploration (MMX) Mission: A Lunar Exploration Program
Japan's MMX mission is a lunar exploration program designed to send a lander to the Martian moon Phobos and collect samples for a return to Earth. The mission is scheduled to launch in 2026 and will be a significant achievement for Japan's space program.
In conclusion, 2026 promises to be an exciting year for space exploration, with numerous missions scheduled to launch and make history. From NASA's Artemis II mission to China's Chang'e 7 lunar exploration program, this year will be a significant step towards establishing a human presence on the Moon and beyond.
