Upcoming Space Launches & Missions in 2026 (Full Schedule with Countdowns)
All major space launches and missions planned for 2026 — SpaceX Starship, Artemis, and more. Live countdown timers for each launch window.
2026 is a landmark year for space exploration. SpaceX is pushing Starship toward operational flights, NASA's Artemis program is gearing up for its crewed lunar missions, and commercial space activity is accelerating faster than ever.
Here's every major space mission and launch event planned for 2026, with live countdown timers for the key dates.
Quick Reference: 2026 Space Calendar
| Date | Mission | Agency/Company |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Starship test flights | SpaceX |
| Q2 2026 | Axiom-4 (ISS) | Axiom Space |
| Mid 2026 | Artemis II rehearsal | NASA |
| Sep 2026 | Artemis II | NASA |
| Late 2026 | Europa Clipper flyby prep | NASA/JPL |
| Late 2026 | Blue Origin New Glenn flights | Blue Origin |
| 2026 | Starlink V3 deployment | SpaceX |
| 2027 | Artemis III (Moon landing) | NASA |
SpaceX Starship Program
Starship Orbital Flights — Ongoing Through 2026
SpaceX's Starship is the most powerful rocket ever built — a fully reusable launch system designed to carry humans to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. After a series of increasingly successful test flights, 2026 is the year Starship aims to become operational.
Key milestones to watch:
- Successful orbital insertion and return — Proving the full flight profile
- Booster catch attempts — The "chopstick" catch at the launch tower
- Payload deployment tests — Demonstrating Starship's cargo capabilities
- Rapid reuse — Flying the same vehicle multiple times
SpaceX typically doesn't announce exact launch dates far in advance, but flights are expected every few weeks throughout 2026.
NASA Artemis Program
Artemis II — September 2026
The first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. Artemis II will send four astronauts on a flyby around the Moon — no landing, but a critical test of the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System (SLS) with humans on board.
Crew:
- Commander Reid Wiseman
- Pilot Victor Glover
- Mission Specialist Christina Koch
- Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen (Canadian Space Agency)
This is the mission that paves the way for Artemis III, which will put the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface. Artemis II is one of the most significant space missions of the decade.
Target: September 2026
Artemis III — 2027 (Moon Landing)
The one everyone's waiting for. Artemis III will use SpaceX's Starship as the lunar lander to put astronauts on the Moon's south pole for the first time. Currently targeted for 2027, though the date depends on Artemis II's success and Starship readiness.
Target: 2027
Commercial Space Missions
Axiom-4 (Private ISS Mission) — Q2 2026
Axiom Space continues its series of private astronaut missions to the International Space Station. Axiom-4 will send a crew to the ISS for approximately two weeks of research and commercial activities. These missions are laying the groundwork for Axiom's planned private space station.
Expected: Q2 2026
Blue Origin New Glenn — 2026
Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin is ramping up flights of its New Glenn rocket — a large orbital vehicle designed to compete with SpaceX's Falcon 9. After its maiden flight, New Glenn is expected to begin regular operations in 2026, carrying satellites and potentially crew capsules.
Expected: Multiple flights throughout 2026
SpaceX Crew Missions (ISS Rotations) — Throughout 2026
SpaceX continues to be NASA's primary ride to the International Space Station. Expect Crew-10 and Crew-11 rotations in 2026, each carrying four astronauts to the ISS aboard Crew Dragon capsules on Falcon 9 rockets. These have become almost routine — which is remarkable in itself.
Deep Space & Robotic Missions
Europa Clipper — En Route
NASA's Europa Clipper launched in 2024 and is currently on its way to Jupiter's moon Europa, where it will search for signs of habitability beneath the moon's icy crust. While it won't arrive at Jupiter until 2030, 2026 will see critical trajectory adjustments and science instrument checkouts.
VIPER (Lunar Rover) — TBD
NASA's Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover is designed to explore the Moon's south pole and search for water ice. While the program has faced budget challenges, it remains a key part of the Artemis strategy.
Mars Missions — No Launch Window in 2026
Mars launch windows occur roughly every 26 months. The next optimal window opens in late 2026/early 2027, which means we may see Mars mission announcements later this year for launches in early 2027.
The Bigger Picture
We're living through a genuine space renaissance. Here's what makes 2026 special:
- Starship operational flights — The most powerful rocket ever, flying regularly
- Artemis II — Humans going back to the Moon (sort of)
- Commercial space maturing — Multiple companies running regular orbital missions
- Private stations — Axiom and others building the successor to the ISS
- International competition — China, India, and others advancing their own programs
The pace of progress in 2026 would have seemed like science fiction just a decade ago.
Follow the Launches
Space launch dates change frequently due to weather, technical issues, and range availability. Bookmark this page for updated schedules.
Want to count down to the next launch, Artemis mission, or space milestone? Create a free countdown timer and share it with fellow space enthusiasts.
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