f you’ve ever dreamed of watching humans fly to the Moon again, this might finally be your year. NASA’s 2026 lineup is absolutely packed — from crewed lunar missions and AI-powered rovers to brand-new space telescopes and an historic first in emergency medicine aboard the International Space Station. Let’s break it all down.
Artemis II: Humans Around the Moon Again
The biggest story of the year is undoubtedly Artemis II, the first crewed mission to travel around the Moon since the Apollo program over 50 years ago. The four-person crew — Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen — completed a successful wet dress rehearsal in February 2026, which went smoothly all the way to T-29 seconds in the countdown.
The launch was originally targeting March 6, but a helium flow issue with the rocket’s upper stage forced NASA to roll the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for inspection and repairs. The next launch opportunity is now expected in early to mid-April 2026. This is a 10-day flight around the Moon and back — a crucial precursor to the planned Artemis III Moon landing slated for 2028.
AI Drives on Mars — Literally
In a quieter but equally groundbreaking moment, NASA’s Perseverance rover made history in February 2026 by completing a series of drives on Mars using AI-planned routes instead of human operators on Earth. The AI analyzed terrain data and images the same way human planners do — and executed them successfully. It’s a milestone that brings us one step closer to fully autonomous planetary exploration.
It’s safe to say: 2026 is one of the most action-packed years in NASA’s history. Stay tuned.
