The space race is heating up again—but this time, it’s global, high-tech, and fueled by both nations and private companies. Over the next 10 years, we’ll see some of the most ambitious missions ever attempted beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
These 10 epic milestones in space exploration are must-watch moments of the next decade. They’re bold and inspiring and could change how we see the universe and our place in it.
1. NASA’s Artemis Missions to the Moon
NASA is heading back to the Moon with Artemis. The goal? Land the first woman and the first person of color on the lunar surface—and build a permanent base for future Mars missions.
2. SpaceX’s Starship Going Orbital (and Beyond)
Starship is Elon Musk’s massive, reusable rocket. It’s designed to carry cargo—and people—to the Moon, Mars, and maybe beyond. Orbital tests are already underway.
3. China’s Crewed Lunar Missions
China plans to send astronauts to the Moon by 2030. With their own space station already operational, their lunar program is moving fast and gaining global attention.
4. The James Webb Space Telescope’s Discoveries
Launched in 2021, JWST is just getting started. Over the next decade, it could uncover signs of life, map early galaxies, and rewrite what we know about the universe.
5. First Human Missions to Mars
NASA and SpaceX are planning to send humans to Mars in the 2030s. In the next decade, we’ll see major tests of the tech that will get us there—and maybe even crewed test runs around the Moon as practice.
6. Lunar Gateway Construction
NASA, ESA, and partners are building a new space station in lunar orbit. Called Gateway, it’ll serve as a launch point for Moon landings and a training ground for deep space travel.
7. India’s Gaganyaan Crewed Mission
ISRO plans to send Indian astronauts into space aboard the Gaganyaan capsule. It’ll mark a huge step in India’s space journey—and put the country among the elite few with human spaceflight capability.
8. Deep Space Missions to the Outer Planets
NASA’s Europa Clipper and ESA’s JUICE mission are headed to Jupiter’s moons. These icy worlds might have oceans—and possibly life—under their crusts.
Read More: NASA Plans to Launch a Wooden Satellite Next Year
9. Asteroid Mining and Defense Tests
Missions like NASA’s DART (already completed) and future mining tech aim to protect Earth and tap space resources. In the next decade, mining asteroids could shift from science fiction to reality.
Read More: What Does Space Smell Like? You Might Not Want to Know
10. Commercial Space Tourism and Space Hotels
Private companies like Blue Origin, SpaceX, and Axiom Space are working on orbital hotels and commercial trips to space. Tourists may soon be packing for low Earth orbit.
Space exploration is moving faster than ever—and the next 10 years will be nothing short of historic. Keep your eyes on the sky because the future of space is unfolding right now.
