Exciting times await space enthusiasts! The safe return of the Artemis II crew signifies a historic milestone—marking the first human trip to the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.

While Artemis II did not land on the lunar surface, its four-member crew executed a thrilling figure-eight flight path around our closest celestial neighbor and made a safe return.

This achievement sets the stage for Artemis III, which aims to not only land on the moon but also become the first mission to land a woman on the lunar surface.

Although Artemis III won’t launch until 2027, you can experience the excitement of upcoming space explorations starting now!

Many missions are scheduled between now and then—from cutting-edge super space telescopes to daring Mars missions. Here are six of the most thrilling missions expected to launch in 2026 after Artemis II.

Chang’e 7

Artemis II won’t be the only lunar mission in 2026. The China National Space Administration plans to launch its latest lander, Chang’e 7, to the moon’s surface this August.

This mission is headed towards the moon’s south pole—a region that has garnered significant interest due to the recent discovery of water ice in its permanently shaded craters.

This untouched ice could provide crucial insights into the early solar system and serve as a valuable resource for future lunar explorers.

Chang’e 7 is set to land on the rim of Shackleton Crater, deploying a small solar-powered rover to collaborate with the main lander in search of water signs.

The mission’s highlight is a unique flying probe that will venture into the crater’s shadow, using a molecular analyzer to detect water. This innovative spacecraft will utilize mini-rocket thrusters, unlike any previous missions to the moon.

Success could uncover valuable hidden treasures in the moon’s shadowed regions.

Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

This year, NASA will launch another exceptional space observatory, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, post-September.

While similar in size and resolution to the Hubble, Roman will cover 100 times more sky area, making it a game-changer in astronomy.

Roman’s thermal imaging camera will conduct extensive surveys, focusing on targets like the center of the Milky Way and examining the universe’s structure and expansion.

Its groundbreaking findings will include tracking transient phenomena such as supernovae and stars being devoured by black holes.

PLATO

While astronomers have identified over 6,000 exoplanets, Earth-like planets remain elusive. The upcoming PLATO spacecraft, launching in late 2026, aims to change that.

By leveraging 26 cameras, PLATO will scan the sky for small dips in star brightness caused by orbiting planets, particularly those in the habitable zone.

With the potential to identify planets with conditions favorable for life, PLATO provides a foundation for future explorations.

Mars Moon Exploration

In November 2026, JAXA plans a mission to land on one of Mars’ moons, marking a historic first. The mission aims to collect samples from Phobos, one of Mars’ two small moons.

This groundbreaking venture will also investigate how these moons were formed—whether they are captured asteroids or remnants of Mars itself.

The MMX mission will collect surface samples and return them to Earth by 2031, marking the first return of material from the Martian system.

Hera

66 million years ago, a massive asteroid impact altered life on Earth. Future threats still loom, and the exploration of asteroids is crucial for planetary defense. NASA’s DART mission successfully demonstrated the ability to alter an asteroid’s path.

The Hera mission, launching in November 2026, aims to analyze Dimorphos post-DART impact, deploying two CubeSats for comprehensive measurements.

BepiColombo

Mercury, often overlooked, is about to gain attention as the BepiColombo mission arrives on November 21, 2026, after eight years of travel.

This mission consists of two scientific orbiters, aimed at mapping Mercury’s surface, studying its exosphere, and understanding its unique magnetic field in relation to the solar wind.

This mission aims to enhance our understanding of our solar system and the dynamics of exoplanet atmospheres around other stars.

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