2026 Set to Mark Historic Year for Lunar Missions and Space Exploration

The year 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark period for space exploration, with multiple ambitious missions targeting the moon and marking significant milestones in human spaceflight.

Artemis II: Return to the Moon

NASA's Artemis II mission, scheduled for February 5, represents the most significant lunar mission since Apollo 17 in 1972. The mission will send four astronauts—Americans Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Jeremy Hansen—on a journey around the moon [Time Magazine].

This historic flight will expand the fraternity of humans who have visited the moon beyond the original 24 Apollo astronauts, only five of whom are still alive today, all in their 90s [Time Magazine]. Unlike the Apollo missions, Artemis II will not land on the lunar surface but will conduct a flyby mission to test systems and procedures for future landings [NBC News].

Blue Origin's Lunar Ambitions

Blue Origin is also making significant strides toward lunar exploration with its Blue Moon spacecraft, planned to launch as early as January 2026 atop the company's New Glenn rocket. The mission aims for a landing at the moon's south pole and has the capability to carry up to three tons of cargo and crew to the surface [Time Magazine].

This development comes as NASA diversifies its lunar landing options beyond its primary contractor, SpaceX, which has faced significant challenges with its Starship program.

SpaceX Starship Struggles Continue

SpaceX, despite holding a $2.89 billion NASA contract to adapt its Starship spacecraft for lunar landings in the Artemis III mission and beyond, continues to face substantial setbacks. The company has experienced "serial failures of the giant Starship rocket," according to recent reports [Time Magazine]. These delays have prompted NASA to explore alternative options for crew transportation to the lunar surface.

International Space Station Operations

While lunar missions capture headlines, activities aboard the International Space Station continue, with SpaceX recently launching its third mission of the year from Florida's Space Coast while preparing for the early return of Crew-11 astronauts [Phys.org]. NASA has been managing crew rotations and addressing medical issues that have required adjustments to mission timelines [NBC News].

Looking Beyond 2026

The Royal Aeronautical Society notes that space exploration continues to drive both competition and cooperation, with Western astronauts still sharing ISS missions with Russian cosmonauts despite ongoing geopolitical tensions [Royal Aeronautical Society]. Meanwhile, other deep space missions continue their journeys, including ESA's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) and NASA's Europa Clipper, both designed to explore the Jovian system in the coming decade.

As 2026 unfolds, the success of these lunar missions could determine the trajectory of human space exploration for years to come, potentially setting the stage for permanent lunar bases and eventual missions to Mars. The year represents a critical juncture where multiple space agencies and private companies are working toward establishing a sustainable human presence beyond Earth orbit.