By Stephanie Dwilson | 2026-02-13

This year is shaping up to be a significant year for space exploration, with major missions to the moon set to launch, and anticipated Mars missions in the works.

From human space travel to the development of next-generation space stations, space manufacturing, global connectivity via satellites and planetary defense, here are seven key developments to keep an eye on:

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already revolutionizing space missions, by enabling spacecraft to operate autonomously in space without reliance on ground control and analyzing vast cosmic data.

This year, the use of AI in space will expand even further.

Within NASA, for example, AI plays a critical role in allowing spacecraft on Mars to make independent decisions.

In late January, vision-language generative AI models were used for the first time to analyze data and create fixed waypoints for NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover to safely navigate Martian terrain.

The US space agency also uses AI to analyze satellite data to support rapid response to disasters, and to streamline flights to increase safety and efficiency.

Next-Gen space stations

With the aging International Space Station (ISS) set to retire in 2030, private companies like Vast Space and Axiom Space are working on commercial space stations to support research, manufacturing and even space tourism.

NASA has awarded more than $500 million to multiple companies working toward this goal, with tangible progress expected this year.

Vast Space plans to launch the Haven-1 commercial space station in 2027. This station will serve as an innovative lab for government and private missions.

Former NASA astronaut Megan McArthur has joined Vast as an adviser.

In 2028, Axiom Space may launch its five-module Axiom Station, and Voyager Space launch Starlab.

In 2030, Blue Origin hopes to be launching the Orbital Reef space station.

Return to the moon

Anticipation is growing for Artemis III’s projected 2027 lunar landing. This year will focus on preparing for a sustainable human presence on the moon.

Artemis II plans a crewed flyby of the moon early this year, and completed a "wet dress rehearsal" for the launch between January 31 and February 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in the US state of Florida.

"Artemis II will be a momentous step forward for human spaceflight," NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a statement.

"This historic mission will send humans farther from Earth than ever before and deliver the insights needed for us to return to the moon — all with America at the helm," he said.

"Artemis II represents progress toward establishing a lasting lunar presence and sending Americans to Mars."

Private companies are shifting to focus on lunar missions as well.

On January 30, Blue Origin announced it was temporarily pausing space tourism for at least two years so it can focus on establishing a permanent presence on the moon.

Space manufacturing

Microgravity enables the creation of new materials, from advanced semiconductors to 3D-bioprinted organs. Companies like Redwire Space and Varda Space Industries are leading the charge.

Redwire is working on 3D Bioprinters that it hopes will one day allow entire organs to be printed in space. It’s also pursuing microgravity manufacturing capabilities for commercial space stations.

In late August, NASA awarded the company a multimillion-dollar contract for biotechnology facilities and other services aboard the ISS.

Varda Space Industries, meanwhile, has been perfecting manufacturing crystals in space to achieve better stability and purity in pharmaceutical medications.

Global connectivity

Low Earth orbit satellite constellations are revolutionizing communication, enabling real-time data sharing and global connectivity.

In 2026, a number of US multinational telecom operators will be testing enhanced direct-to-device satellite connectivity via both voice and data services.

AT&T has said it plans to start offering a beta direct-to-device satellite service sometime in the first half of 2026, using the BlueBird 6 satellite.

India's LVM3-M6 rocket placed the AST SpaceMobile communications satellite into low-Earth orbit on December 23 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India.

Verizon already offers limited satellite messaging via Skylo, and has mentioned plans to offer its own D2D services with AST sometime in 2026, while T-Mobile has teamed with Starlink to offer T-Satellite.

Earth defense

The success of NASA’s DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission in 2022 has spurred continued efforts to protect Earth from asteroids, with new radar systems and planetary defense missions in the works.

In 2025, a team from the University of Maryland determined that the DART mission generated debris that was expelled in unexpected directions.

In 2026, expect more studies on how future deflection missions can calculate these potential trajectories and after effects.

In addition, newer smart telescopes are opening possibilities for citizen astronomers to partner with SETI Institute and other organizations as they watch for near Earth asteroids that could pose problems.

Travel to Mars and beyond

Private space stations could be the precursor to life beyond Earth, making space more accessible to research, manufacturing, and even habitation.

In mid-January, NASA and the Department of Energy announced a commitment to develop a fission surface power system on the moon to provide safe, plentiful electrical power without needing refueling.

This would allow for sustained lunar missions, with the goal of establishing a lunar base so humans can prepare to visit Mars and perhaps even live there.

This year, expect to hear more about technologies NASA is pursuing to send astronauts to Mars as early as the 2030s, and to see space technology deliver tangible benefits that shape the future of exploration and innovation.