The year will see renewed focus on human exploration beyond low Earth orbit. Major missions target the Moon, Mars and advanced space science. ESA is set to make major strides in space exploration and science.
These missions will not only expand Europe’s footprint in space but also provide critical data for planetary research, Earth observation and global navigation systems. The European Space Agency (ESA) has laid out a full calendar of space missions, major events, launches and scientific milestones planned for 2026.
ESA 2026 – Moon, Mars and Satellite Mission Update
| UPCOMING MISSION | WHEN (Month) | TO WHERE | BRIEF DESCRIPTION |
| LEO-PNT Celeste Constellation | Between January and March 2026. | Satellite Program | 10-satellite constellation to support positioning/navigation and complement Galileo system. |
| Hera Deep Space Manoeuvre | February 2026 | Asteroid Didymos | Trajectory correction for Hera en route to Didymos binary asteroid system for planetary defense. |
| Artemis II / Orion Lunar Mission | No Later Than April 2026 | Moon | Crewed lunar flyby with ESA’s European Service Module supporting life support and propulsion. |
| Galileo Satellite Launch (L15) | Between May and June 2026 | Satellite Program | Two new Galileo satellites launched aboard Ariane 6 to strengthen Europe’s navigation network. |
| MetOp-SG B1 | Between July and December 2026 | Earth | Second-generation meteorological satellite for global weather monitoring and climate studies. |
| BepiColombo Mercury Orbit Insertion | November 2026 | Mercury | ESA-JAXA mission enters Mercury orbit to study surface, magnetic field and exosphere. |
| PLATO Mission | December 2026 | Exoplanet | Exoplanet discovery mission to detect rocky planets and study their host stars. |
The LEO-PNT Celeste satellites are planned to launch early 2026. This is a 10-satellite constellation in low Earth orbit. It will enhance positioning, navigation and timing alongside Europe’s Galileo system.
The constellation aims to provide more accurate and reliable global navigation. It will support transportation, emergency services and scientific applications.
February 2026: Hera Deep Space Manoeuvre
ESA’s Hera mission will perform a deep space manoeuvre in February. It is on its way to the Didymos binary asteroid system. The mission studies Dimorphos, the smaller moonlet, after NASA’s DART impact.
Hera will measure how the asteroid responds to kinetic impacts. This is part of planetary defense research for Earth’s protection.
April 2026: Artemis II / Orion Lunar Mission
The Artemis II mission will carry four astronauts on a Moon flyby. ESA contributes the European Service Module for life support and propulsion. The mission tests spacecraft systems for future lunar landings.
Astronauts will orbit the Moon and return safely to Earth. This is NASA’s first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo.
May – June 2026: Galileo Satellite Launch (L15)
Two new Galileo satellites will launch aboard Ariane 6. The launch will expand Europe’s satellite navigation network. It will improve coverage, redundancy and reliability for users worldwide.
The satellites support civil, commercial and government navigation applications. They will work together with existing Galileo satellites in orbit.
July – December 2026: MetOp-SG B1
The MetOp Second Generation B1 satellite is scheduled for launch in Q3/Q4. It will monitor Earth’s weather, climate, and atmospheric conditions. MetOp-SG B1 provides data for forecasts and climate research.
It helps track extreme events like storms, floods and heatwaves. This mission supports scientists in understanding global climate patterns.
November 2026: BepiColombo Mercury Orbit Insertion
The BepiColombo mission will enter Mercury’s orbit in November. It carries two orbiters: ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter and JAXA’s Magnetospheric Orbiter. The spacecraft will study Mercury’s surface, magnetic field, and exosphere.
The mission provides insights into planet formation and solar system evolution. It marks a major milestone for inner Solar System exploration.
December 2026: PLATO Mission
ESA’s PLATO mission will launch in late 2026 to study exoplanets. It will detect rocky planets in habitable zones around distant stars. The mission will measure star properties and planet densities.
PLATO helps scientists understand planet formation and habitability. Its data may reveal solar system analogues beyond our own.
2026 is a milestone for ESA
The year 2026 is poised to be a milestone for ESA. Europe will see activity in human spaceflight, lunar exploration, planetary missions, Earth observation and satellite navigation. With these missions, ESA continues to strengthen Europe’s role in global space science and exploration, providing critical data for both scientific discovery and practical applications.
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