10 Space Missions of 2024
1. LUNAR ODYSSEY
NASA’s Ambitious Artemis II Mission
Artemis II and III
Embarking on a celestial odyssey in November, Artemis II will see four astronauts orbit the moon, a daring feat not attempted since the space race. This mission, a prelude to Artemis III’s lunar landing in 2024, propels humanity back into the cosmic spotlight and we aim to land the first woman on the surface of moon, for the first tim
UNFORTUNATEY AS PER THE LATEST UPDATES
Artemis II- launch delayed to September 2025
Artemis III- launch delayed to September 2026
2. STAR SHIP SPECTACLE
SpaceX’s Epic Quest to Conquer Space
In 2024, Elon Musk owned SpaceX’s Starship, the veritable titan of rocketry, faces trials after two failed test launches in 2023.
With ambitions reaching Mars, Starship’s journey intertwines with NASA’s Artemis III, setting the stage for a space odyssey.
Starship is proposed to carry the astronauts from the Orion spacecraft as it orbits the moon and land them on the lunar surface.
But SpaceX needs to figure out
- How to launch Starship safely and take it into orbit?
- Land and reuse both the rocket booster and spacecraft though it has mastered that art in its falcon heavy rocket series.
- How to refuel the colossal vehicle while it’s in orbit(this is the most challenging task at hand)
Launch dates– Not been released.
3. EUROPA UNVIELED
NASA’s Mission to Jupiter’s Enigmatic Moon- Europa
Journeying to Jupiter’s moon Europa in October, NASA’s Europa Clipper promises to unveil mysteries that could redefine our understanding of extraterrestrial life.
With high-tech instruments and a multitude of flybys, it’s a cosmic detective story in the making.
Launch dates- October 2024
4. LUNAR PIONEERS -THE ROBOTS
NASA’s Robotic Crusaders Explore the Moon
Besides having extensive programs in place for taking their citizens to the moon, NASA and other countries also have extensive plans for the robotic exploration of our moon.
2023 has seen several nations and companies race to soft-land a spacecraft on the moon.
So far, only India has succeeded.
China has also been succesful in that in the past. Russia failed in its attempt, and the United States hasn’t even tried till 2023.
NASA’s CLPS program was to unleash robotic explorers on lunar terrain in 2024, led by Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander. But sadly the mission ran into unforeseen issues and the lander was lost although the rocket (Vulcan Centaur) made by joint Boeing and Lockheed Martin venture called United Launch Alliance performed as expected.
So, the first space test of 2024 failed. Now that’s not the right way of starting a year, is it?
5. JAPAN’S MOON SNIPER
Japan’s “Moon Sniper” Aims for Lunar Glory by Precision Landing
Japan’s SLIM ( Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) mission, aptly nicknamed the “Moon Sniper,” gears up for a precision landing on the lunar surface in January 2024, although it was launched in September 2023.
Armed with high-precision technology, it’s a daring pursuit of lunar glory, offering insights into the moon’s enigmatic landscape and thus paving the way for precise and safe landings for further missions to the moon and beyond.
6. CELESTIAL COLLISIONS
ESA’s Hera Mission Deciphers Asteroid Impact
Following NASA’s DART( Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission in 2022 , European Space Agency’s Hera mission in October 2024 unravels the aftermath of a celestial collision, marking humanity’s first intentional shift of an asteroid’s trajectory.
A cosmic detective story unfolds, providing crucial data for planetary defense.
Launch date – October 2024
7. Beyond the Belt
Polaris Dawn’s Daring Venture into Deep Space
Billionaire Jared Isaacman sponsors Polaris Dawn, aiming for the first private spacewalk beyond the Van Allen radiation belt.
This daring venture promises unprecedented insights into the effects of space radiation, surpassing the boundaries set since the Apollo era.
8. SPACE TOURISM
Axiom’s Military Mission and ISS Sojourn*
AXIOM-3-Launch date- January 2024
As more companies jump into the hotting race of space tourism. Along with NASA, SpaceX the latest one is Houston based Axiom.
Axiom-3’s imminent space escapade, featuring only military professionals and government astronauts, adds a new chapter to space tourism. This cosmic sojourn promises a unique blend of military precision and celestial exploration on the International Space Station.
The usual players- Launch dates- Multiple.
The usual players like Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin will continue offering space ride seats to people who can afford them.
VIRGIN-GALACTIC – Sixth mission in January 2024
BLUE ORIGIN – Sometime in 2024 -dates undisclosed.
9. FUTURISTIC SPACE FERRIES
Starliner’s Crewed Debut and Dream Chaser’s Maiden Flight
Boeing’s Starliner, overcoming setbacks, gears up for its first crewed launch in 2024, joining SpaceX’s Crew Dragon in ferrying astronauts to the ISS.
Simultaneously, Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser, a shuttle-like cargo ship, promises a visually stunning maiden flight, diversifying the future of space travel.
10. EARTH’S WATCHMEN
NASA’s Sentinel Missions Monitor Our Planet
In 2024, NASA’s PACE and NISAR(NASA & ISRO collaboration ) missions will be launched.
These sentinel missions will
- Become Earth’s vigilant guardians.
- Offer a crucial perspective on our planet’s health
a testament to space exploration’s role in understanding and addressing the climate crisis.
PACE(Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ocean Ecosystem)– Launch date February 2024
- will assess air quality and the health of our oceans. ( By phytoplankton mapping)
NISAR(NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) – Launch Date- 2024 (Not Yet Declared)
- will deepen understanding of climate change , deforestation, melting glaciers, volcanoes, earthquakes and more.
