Lunar Returns and Martian Moons on the Horizon: 2026’s Space Lineup
A busy 2026 space agenda features NASA's crewed Artemis II lunar-orbit test, Blue Origin's Pathfinder lunar lander flight, China's Chang'e-7 and Tianwen-2 missions (with a 2027 sample return), Japan's MMX mission to study Phobos and Deimos, and Mengzhou’s upgrade plan for Shenzhou—though MMX may slip to 2027 after a rocket test setback.