5 Groundbreaking Space Missions To Watch In 2026

2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for space exploration, with a series of high-profile missions poised to expand our understanding of the cosmos. Here are five space missions that are set to captivate audiences worldwide. 1. Artemis II Mission: This mission, scheduled to launch in 2026, will send three American astronauts and one Canadian on a 10-day flyby around the Moon. The crew will venture approximately 4,700 miles beyond the far side of the Moon, offering a unique perspective on both Earth and Moon. 2. European Space Agency’s (ESA) Asteroid Defense Mission: The ESA is reportedly working on a mission to determine whether humans can defend Earth from asteroids.

This mission aims to develop strategies for protecting our planet from potential asteroid threats. 3. China’s Chang’e-7 Mission: China’s Chang’e-7 mission will utilize a “hopper spacecraft” designed to leap from sunlit areas into permanently shadowed craters on the Moon. According to Tang Yuhua, deputy chief designer of the Chang’e-7, finding ice at the Moon’s south pole could significantly reduce the cost and time required to transport water from Earth. 4.