From the Moon and Mars to distant planets and unexplored asteroids, 2027 promises to be an exciting year for space exploration. Space agencies across the world are preparing ambitious missions designed to advance human spaceflight, uncover the origins of the solar system, and discover new worlds beyond our own.
Although launch dates can change, several missions stand out for their scientific importance and technological ambition. Here are the major space missions to watch in 2027.
1. Gaganyaan: Advancing Human Spaceflight
India's Gaganyaan programme is another important milestone to follow. The programme aims to demonstrate the ability to send Indian astronauts into space and return them safely to Earth.
A crewed mission has been targeted for 2027, subject to testing and schedule changes. Its progress will be closely watched as India develops its human spaceflight capabilities, including crew safety systems, life support, and recovery operations.
2. China's Xuntian Space Telescope
China's planned Xuntian space telescope is another project worth watching. Designed to conduct wide-field astronomical surveys, it is intended to observe large regions of the universe while operating in coordination with the Tiangong space station.
Its observations could help scientists investigate galaxies, cosmic structures, and the evolution of the universe. Its launch timing remains subject to change, but the project represents a major ambition in space-based astronomy.
3. Artemis III: Testing the Next Generation of Lunar Exploration
One of the most anticipated missions is Artemis III, led by NASA with international and commercial partners. The mission is planned for 2027 and will test critical systems needed for future crewed Moon landings.
Rather than landing astronauts on the lunar surface, the updated mission plan focuses on testing rendezvous and docking between the Orion spacecraft and lunar lander systems in Earth orbit. These demonstrations will help prepare for subsequent missions that aim to return humans to the Moon. Its success could bring sustained lunar exploration closer to reality.
4. PLATO: Searching for Other Earth-Like Worlds
Europe's PLATO space telescope is planned for launch in March 2027. Equipped with 26 cameras, it will observe stars for tiny changes in brightness that reveal orbiting planets.
Its main goal is to discover and characterise rocky planets, including worlds that orbit in the habitable zones of Sun-like stars. By studying these planets and their host stars, scientists hope to better understand how common potentially Earth-like worlds are in our galaxy.
5. Martian Moon Exploration: Investigating Phobos
Japan's Martian Moons eXploration mission, or MMX, is expected to reach the Mars system in 2027 after its planned 2026 launch. It will investigate Phobos and Deimos, the two small moons orbiting Mars.
The spacecraft will study their composition and origins, helping scientists determine whether they are captured asteroids or formed from material associated with an ancient impact. The mission also aims to collect samples from Phobos for return to Earth later in the next decade.
6. Lucy: Exploring Ancient Asteroids
NASA's Lucy spacecraft is expected to begin its close-up exploration of Jupiter's Trojan asteroids in 2027. These objects occupy regions associated with Jupiter's orbit and preserve clues about the early solar system.
By examining their surfaces, compositions, and geological features, Lucy could help scientists understand how the giant planets formed and how the solar system evolved.
Why 2027 Matters
Together, these missions highlight the global nature of modern space exploration. From human spaceflight and lunar technology to planetary science and the search for distant worlds, each project addresses a different scientific challenge.
Some missions will test technologies for future explorers, while others will search for answers to fundamental questions about our cosmic origins. Their schedules may shift, but the discoveries they pursue could shape space exploration for decades to come.
