Since the launch of Russian Sputnik in 1957 and the U.S. response with the creation of NASA and the launch of Explorer I by the U.S. Army in 1958, NASA has been on the cutting edge of space exploration missions. In this article, I will lay out the top missions NASA has planned, and their importance, so novices and veterans alike can get a sense of where we are heading in the latter 2020s.

Space Exploration Missions – What is NASA Planning in the Near Future?

NASA scientists are gearing up for future explorations, including returning to the Moon, studying a metallic asteroid, examining Saturn's icy moon Titan, and sending humans to the “Red Planet” by 2030. The diverse destinations and objectives make this an excellent time to follow the developments of America’s most aggressive and futuristic technologies.

NASA Space Missions - With David Clark Swalm

Future NASA Missions & Their Purpose

I’ve compiled a list of the missions that will be coming by the end of this decade and the individual purpose of said missions. There are also links to information that will help put ongoing projects in context with the new missions.

· Artemis Moon Mission 2024

NASA and their partners have a manifold purpose for The Artemis Project, not the least of which is sending the first woman to the Moon, and the most advanced being to set up a permanent “Base Camp” on the Moon to further aid in the ultimate trip to Mars. Artemis I could launch as early as August or September 2022, unmanned, and carrying an Orion satellite, that when safely returned to Earth will pave the way for a manned Artemis II with 4 astronauts aboard - returning humans to the Moon.

· Psyche Asteroid 2026

Psyche’s mission is to orbit an asteroid also called Psyche and is managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Its payload will consist of scientific equipment that will determine the composition of the asteroid to gather vital information on the formation of planets. The current launch schedule for the Psyche mission is set for Sept. 20 thru Oct. 11.

· Dragonfly Saturn Mission 2026

The rotorcraft Dragonfly’s purpose is a bold order that even a few short years ago NASA would have thought impossible, but now it’s on the agenda for launch in 2026, with its arrival to Saturn in 2034. Dragonfly is set to cruise sites around the moon Titan, collecting data that may give us a glimpse of how life formed here on Earth – analysis of a planet with so many similarities to our own, including liquid reservoirs and complex organic materials, can give us clues to our very existence.

· Mission To Mars 2030

With the expected success of the Artemis Project, the Moon will be a stepping stone for the future many-year journey to Mars. With Mars exhibiting suitable conditions for life in the past, it is a destination that offers many exciting possibilities. One of the main areas of interest to scientists is the effects on the human body when exposed to extended periods in space, which will begin on the Moon, and can then be analyzed for the long trip to Mars. Knowledge and understanding of these effects on humans, and the ability to bring astronauts home safely will ensure that one day humans will work and live on the “Red Planet.”

How NASA Names Space Shuttles

NASA’s Space Shuttles have taken on a theme since the very first shuttle launch in 1981 when the name was changed from “Constitution” to “Enterprise” shortly before the launch by President Gerald Ford. Ford defended the change by admitting he was partial to the name because he had served on the U.S. Navy ship of the same name. The nautical exploration theme has stuck ever since, which is not surprising when given the fact that before space was “The Last Frontier,” the oceans were the great unknown to be explored.

· Space Shuttle Enterprise

Prompted by a petition from avid Star Wars fans, and supported by then President Ford for the reason stated above, Enterprise set a course for shuttle names to come. Although not designed for space flight, the Enterprise was useful in test flights and atmospheric testing. Enterprise was retired after 5 flights in 1977 and resides currently in the Intrepid Museum in New York.

· Space Shuttle Endeavor

Making its first flight in 1992, Endeavor’s name was chosen through a contest, then settled on by NASA in honor of the HMS Endeavor, the ship that Captain J. Cook sailed to explore the coasts of Australia and New Zealand.

· Space Shuttle Columbia

Inspired by the Columbia Rediviva, an American ship commanded by Robert Gray and holding the honor of the first U.S. ship to circumnavigate the Earth, the orbiter and its historical counterpart are exemplary examples of bold exploration.

· Space Shuttle Atlantis

Named for the first oceanographic research ship used by the Americans, the RV Atlantis, which conducted explorations between 1930 and 1966.

· Space Shuttle Challenger

The namesake of the Challenger Orbiter was a corvette and command ship of an expedition that paved the way for marine research globally and ran from 1872 – 1876.

· Space Shuttle Discovery

There are many exploratory vessels linked to the naming of Discovery – among them are H. Hudson’s ship used to search for a Northwest Passage, the HMS Discovery on an expedition to the North Pole by Britain, and a journey to the Antarctic headed by Captain R.F. Scott.

Summary

Whether it’s the rich history or the exciting future of NASA’s space exploration missions, this article should give you insights into the evolution of space travel and some of the amazing accomplishments that humans are working on to further our interaction with the Cosmos and the continuation of our species.

With the success of projects like Aremis, Psyche, Dragonfly, and Missions to Mars, NASA will certainly continue to innovate far into the future and create sustainable links to our far-away neighbors.

NASA Space Exploration Missions - David Swalm