As we look ahead to 2026, the excitement surrounding space exploration is palpable! With humans preparing to return to Lunar orbit and Japan gearing up for its first mission to Mars, the trend of investing time and resources into the cosmos shows no signs of slowing down.
One of the highlights to anticipate is NASA’s Artemis II mission, which is set to launch by February 2026. This mission marks a significant moment as it will send a crew aboard the Orion capsule to circle the Moon. Over a span of 10 days, the astronauts will test the capabilities and systems of Orion, including life-support and communications, ensuring the capsule is ready for the upcoming Artemis III mission, which aims for a crewed landing on the Moon in the early 2030s.
The Artemis II crew is composed of seasoned astronauts, including Mission Commander Reid Wiseman, alongside NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Victor Glover, both of whom have extensive experience on the International Space Station. Joining them is Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, who expressed that flying on Artemis II is “an absolute privilege.” The rocket and capsule have already made their way to the launch pad at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, marking an exciting countdown to this long-awaited lunar return.
In addition, Blue Origin is set to make waves in Q1 2026 with its Pathfinder 1 mission, which will be the company’s first attempt at a lunar landing. Jeff Bezos’ spaceflight company is ready to test its prototype lunar lander, Blue Moon, as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services Program (CLPS). This program supports private companies in developing landers to transport essential supplies to astronauts on the Moon’s surface. The Pathfinder mission represents a bold new direction for Blue Origin, which has primarily focused on low-Earth orbit and satellite launches until now.
The Pathfinder mission will test crucial systems of the Blue Moon Mark 1 lander, including its BE-7 engine, cryogenic systems, avionics, and precision landing capabilities, with an impressive accuracy of within 100 meters (330 feet). Blue Origin aims to provide future missions using the Blue Moon Mark 1 for a variety of customers looking to deliver payloads to the Moon.
Meanwhile, China is also making significant strides in space exploration, with three major missions planned for this year that will light up the skies of East Asia. The first of these missions will be the Chang’e-7, named after the legendary moon goddess. China’s advancements in space technology highlight a remarkable evolution in their space program, placing them alongside other leading nations in the field.
As we move closer to these thrilling missions, the excitement for space exploration continues to build, inspiring us all to look up and dream big!
