NASA’s Latest Space Projects

As the new year begins, NASA is moving into 2026 with major momentum across its space program, led by the Artemis missions. Preparations are ramping up for Artemis II, scheduled for early 2026, which will send astronauts around the Moon for the first time in more than fifty years to test the Orion spacecraft, life-support systems, and deep-space navigation.

The mission is a critical step toward Artemis III, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface later this decade and establish a sustained presence at the Moon’s south pole, a key proving ground for future missions to Mars.

Beyond lunar exploration, NASA continues to push forward in solar science. The Parker Solar Probe is conducting record-breaking close passes to the Sun, collecting data to better understand solar storms and space weather that can affect satellites, communications, and power grids on Earth. From the Moon to the Sun, NASA enters the new year pushing deeper into space.