Here are the space launches and landings we’re most excited about in 2026...

A lot could happen in space this year, but let’s get real about what actually will.

Last year delivered doses of drama and excitement in the space business, with a record number of launches, breathtaking vistas of other worlds, and a multitude of breakthroughs and setbacks. 2026 is shaping up to be another thrilling year in the cosmos.

For the first time in more than 54 years, astronauts are training to travel to the vicinity of the Moon, perhaps within the next couple of months. NASA, SpaceX, Blue Origin, and other companies are poised to take major steps toward actually landing humans on the Moon, perhaps within a few years.

New rockets are slated to debut in 2026, and scientists hope to open new windows on the Universe. Here, we list the most anticipated space missions scheduled for this year, ranked according to our own anticipation for them. We also assess the chances of these missions actually happening in the next 12 months. Unless specified, we don’t assess the chances of a successful outcome.

1. Artemis II​

Continued below.

Tuur said:

Note: Have seen at least one recommendation for the Artemis II launch to be unmanned. The concerns behind that seem valid, but it looks like a manned launch is a go, anyway.

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Why the recommendation?