The Space Coast Will Be Busy in 2026

  • The Moon is seen rising behind NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard atop a mobile launcher as it rolls out to Launch Complex 39B for the first time, Thursday, March 17, 2022, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Ahead of NASA’s Artemis I flight test, the fully stacked and integrated SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft will undergo a wet dress rehearsal at Launch Complex 39B to verify systems and practice countdown procedures for the first launch.

January 6, 2026 – The Florida SPACErePORT is a fascinating and comprehensive roundup of space news from around the world. Here are a few highlights of interest to those of us locally.

  • The planned Artemis II launch is a highlight of what will be a busy year on the Space Coast, which just came off a record 109 launches in 2025. NASA’s Artemis II mission is due to launch four astronauts on a round-the-moon journey as a warmup for a future lunar landing. The mission aims to fly from KSC as early as Feb. 5 and no later than April. This will prepare the way for humans to eventually return to the moon on Artemis III.
  • SpaceX Crew-12 is also scheduled to launch in February from Kennedy Space Center to the ISS. For now, SpaceX remains the only operational crew option for the ISS.
  • Blue Origin, fresh off its successful November New Glenn launch and landing, aims to fly its Blue Moon MK1 lunar lander in the front end of the year.
  • Astrobotic’s large Griffin lander is set to launch atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy from KSC no earlier than July.
  • Intuitive Machines could fly even earlier on its third attempt to stick the landing of its Nova-C lander. It will fly atop a Falcon 9 along with the company’s first lunar data relay satellite, although a target launch date has yet to be announced.
  • Firefly will make its second trip to the moon with both its Blue Ghost lander and Elytra Dark orbital vehicle. The company has not announced its launch service provider or target launch date.
  • Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft will make a cargo only flight to the ISS no earlier than April, launching atop a ULA Atlas V. If successful, Boeing could then be chosen to work alongside SpaceX for the remainder of rotational crewed missions to the space station before its retirement planned for 2030.
  • SpaceX is gearing up for a new chapter in its ambitious Starship program, with the company confirming the successful trial run of a specialized transport barge for moving massive Starship vehicles from its Starbase facility in Texas to launch sites on Florida’s Space Coast.

 

Source: FLORIDA SPACErePORT
Image credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani

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