Missions
Every mission flying to the Moon: robotic landers, orbiters, sample return and crewed flights, with launch dates, landing sites and current status.
Chang'e 7 combination moved to launch area at Wenchang
Artemis III redefined for 2027 low Earth orbit rendezvous
The mission will use Orion in low Earth orbit and includes Blue Origin and SpaceX participation.
Firefly completes preliminary design review for MoonFall Elytra spacecraft
Otter 24C Performs NASA SSPICY Demonstration in Low Earth Orbit
Starfish Space's NASA-supported Otter 24C is carrying out the SSPICY technology demonstration, with Vandenberg Space Force Base as the launch site and low Earth orbit as the mission orbit.
Astrolab Reveals Mission 1 Payloads, Taps SpaceX for 2026 Lunar Rover Flight
Venturi Astrolab has filled its first FLEX rover mission with eight enterprise payloads, revealing water-harvesting, brick-making and science experiments destined for a 2026 Starship flight to the Moon.
ESA set out 2030 Argonaut lander plans and Moon Explore concepts
The background describes ESA's lunar efforts, from affordable Moon Explore concepts to Argonaut landers listed for 2030.
Background
PRIMA selected as first Probe Explorer
PRIMA, the Probe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics, has been selected for development with 1,200,000,000 USD funding and a 2033 launch date.
Griffin-1 lander passes critical tests at JPL
ESA's Moon Explore open call and MAGPIE's 2029 launch date
ESA's Moon Explore began with an open call for lunar mission concepts. MAGPIE has a 2029 launch date.
Background
NASA Artemis III update set for 2 p.m. EDT at Kennedy Space Center
UK ADR mission to remove two satellites is world-first
UK ADR is described as a world-first mission to remove two defunct satellites, with launch listed for 2029 from Saxavord Spaceport.
Perseverance Sets Mars Rover Distance Record
NASA's Perseverance rover exceeded Opportunity's distance record, and a Guinness World Records certificate marked the milestone at JPL.
Chang'e 7 will miss planned launch window this year
China's Manned Space program said Chang'e 7 does not meet launch conditions and cannot fly in the planned window.
Moonraker selected for ESA Small Missions Phase A study
Swift Observatory science mission ends before expected reentry
The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has stopped science operations while orbiting less than 275 kilometers above Earth's surface, and it is projected to reenter within weeks.
Crew-12 splashes down in the Pacific Ocean on 2026-10-08
ESA's lunar payloads and Pathfinder relay plans
Background
Prospect drill to search for water ice at lunar south pole
JUICE performs third Earth gravity assist and JANUS test
MAGPIE is the first European rover on the Moon
The ESA-JAXA mission has a 2029 launch date and a lunar south pole landing site.
Artemis III crewed mission planned for 2027
Argo and ispace U.S. Sign Deal to Launch Alpine Lunar Relay by 2027
The water-powered Argonaut vehicle will deliver the first satellite of ispace’s Lunar Connect constellation as part of Mission 2.5.
NASA mission launches with Dragon as Falcon 9 first stage lands
Smile mission ready to begin science operations
Curiosity captures sunrise panorama over Mars yardangs
Eight SLS booster segments en route to Kennedy Space Center
Booster motor segments have shipped, and eight segments are moving to Kennedy Space Center in specialized transporters.
Engine installation begins on Artemis III core stage
Orion crew and service modules joined
Artemis III details include crew, launch site, payloads, and hardware milestones.
Artemis III Orion crew and service modules connected
China's 1970-2024 space milestones and Chang'e-6 far-side sample return
Background
Navigation Doppler LiDAR integrated with Griffin-1
Autumn recorded at Gale Crater as drill campaign wraps up
Seasonal clouds, Mars-year markers and Basque Lakes drilling appear in the latest facts.
Engineers rehearse Rosalind Franklin rover's first journey on Earth
A full-size rover model is being tested in Mars-like terrain as engineers prepare for Rosalind Franklin to leave its lander.
JPL's 1936-2028 milestones and mission plans
Background
NISAR marks first year in orbit at ISRO-NASA review
PLATO remains scheduled for launch in 2027
ESA’s PLATO mission is still set for a 2027 launch, with UK institutions and companies holding key roles in cameras, data processing and science management.
Artemis II astronauts make post-flight visit to ESA’s ESTEC
The Artemis II crew visited ESA’s technical centre in the Netherlands on 13 July 2026, in what ESA described as the first stop in their post-flight visits.
ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter's decade in Mars orbit
A background summary of the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter's decade in Mars orbit, its trace-gas search and technology tests.
Background