Space Calendar 2025: Must-See Events to Experience

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While 2025 may not herald the much-anticipated return of astronauts to deep space, it will undoubtedly be a thrilling year for space exploration. A series of robotic spacecraft will grace the launchpads, making their way to the moon with high hopes for landing success.

So, how many of these lunar missions will achieve their goals? Will they exceed the two landings that took place last year, one of which made a spectacular comeback?

Massive commercial rockets like SpaceX‘s Starship and Blue Origin‘s New Glenn are also gearing up for multiple uncrewed orbital test launches as they refine their technology. In the meantime, as we await groundbreaking scientific missions targeting distant destinations in our solar system, several probes will capture stunning close-up images of planets, utilizing gravitational assists from flybys.

To keep you updated, we’ve compiled a comprehensive calendar of upcoming space missions and cosmic events for the year ahead. Be sure to bookmark this page and keep an eye out for updates from Mashable throughout 2025.

Mark Your Calendars: BepiColombo’s Final Mercury Flyby on January 8

Mercury, being the closest planet to the sun, often gets overshadowed in discussions about rocky planets in our solar system. Its extreme heat and inaccessibility make it a challenging target for scientific exploration compared to more popular destinations like Saturn.

However, the BepiColombo mission, a collaborative effort between the European and Japanese space agencies, aims to change this narrative. Scheduled for January 8, the spacecraft will conduct its sixth and final flyby, coming within a mere 160 miles of Mercury’s surface. This critical maneuver will set the stage for its entry into orbit around the planet in late 2026, with mission controllers prepared to release unprecedented images of the event on January 9.

Exciting Launch: Blue Origin’s New Glenn Flight on January 12

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is eagerly anticipating the launch of his formidable rocket, New Glenn, from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

With a launch license secured from the Federal Aviation Administration, Blue Origin is targeting an attempt to lift off no earlier than January 12. The three-hour launch window is set to open at 1 a.m. ET.

The primary goal for Blue Origin is to successfully reach orbit while also attempting to land the booster on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean for reuse in future missions. Although company executives acknowledge that accomplishing this on the first try may be “ambitious,” the endeavor highlights the increasing focus on sustainability in space travel.

SpaceX’s Upcoming Starship Test with Upgraded Spacecraft on January 13

In preparation for future missions, SpaceX is getting ready to launch another uncrewed test of the Starship, featuring significant upgrades and carrying 10 mock satellites designed for payload deployment practice in space.

This test marks the seventh iteration of the Starship trials and will utilize a reused engine from the booster that successfully returned from the fifth test. The launch window is scheduled to open at 4:00 p.m. CT.

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Two Lunar Landers Set to Launch on the Same Rocket on January 15

A fascinating mission is set to unfold on January 15, as two small uncrewed spacecraft, including one equipped with several NASA instruments, aim to land on the moon using the same rocket.

Both Firefly Aerospace and Japan’s ispace will be launching aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, scheduled for liftoff at 1:11 a.m. ET. Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander, initially intended for a late 2024 launch, will mark its maiden voyage, embarking on a 45-day journey before attempting a lunar landing in early March.

This flight represents the first mission under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program for the year, which recruits private vendors to deliver instruments to the moon and gather vital data. Meanwhile, Ispace’s Hakuto-R mission will undertake its second attempt after a previous crash landing in April 2023, with the Resilience lander cooperating with Japan’s space agency JAXA for this mission.

Navigating Lunar Surfaces: NASA Rover and Orbiter Delivery in February

Intuitive Machines made headlines last year by becoming the first company to achieve a successful lunar landing, although its lander, Odysseus, experienced some challenges upon touchdown.

Now, the Houston-based company is preparing for its next lunar mission, launching the Athena lander as part of the IM-2 or PRIME-1 mission, which will carry a NASA rover. This spacecraft aims to test innovative technologies such as a drill and a mass spectrometer, which identifies particle types in various substances. Additionally, NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer will accompany this mission, tasked with orbiting the moon to create detailed maps of lunar water distribution.

Europa Clipper’s Exciting Mars Flyby on February 27

Following a successful launch in October 2024, the Europa Clipper spacecraft is progressing through space and is set to execute its first flyby of Mars on February 27. This maneuver will provide a gravity assist to propel it toward its ultimate destination.

Scientists have high hopes for this mission, as Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, is believed to possess twice the amount of water found in all of Earth’s oceans combined. This raises intriguing questions about the moon’s potential to harbor conditions conducive to life. If evidence of habitability is discovered, a follow-up Europa mission could be launched to investigate the presence of any existing life forms.

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Launch of SPHEREx: A New Astrophysics Observatory in February

NASA is gearing up to launch an innovative astrophysics observatory aimed at creating a comprehensive 3D map of the entire sky. Known as SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer), this mission will orbit Earth while examining hundreds of millions of stars and galaxies in 102 invisible “colors.”

A key objective of SPHEREx is to deepen our understanding of cosmic inflation, a critical phase of the Big Bang that contributed to the universe’s expansion. The observatory is set to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

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European Spacecraft Hera’s Mars Flyby Scheduled for March

In a remarkable follow-up to NASA’s previous mission that intentionally crashed a spacecraft into a harmless asteroid for planetary defense practice, the European Space Agency is launching Hera. This mission will rendezvous with Dimorphos, the asteroid that was targeted, in 2026.

However, prior to that, in March, Hera will take a brief detour to Mars, allowing mission controllers to gather valuable data on one of the Red Planet’s two moons, Deimos. This flyby offers a unique opportunity to enhance our understanding of Martian moons and their characteristics.

NASA Astronaut Crew’s Long-Awaited Return Home in March

In March, two astronauts are expected to return to Earth after an extended stay at the International Space Station that turned from an eight-day mission into a lengthy eight-month layover.

Nasa astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have been anticipating their departure since NASA opted not to send them home on the Boeing Starliner. While the test vehicle successfully landed empty, NASA was cautious due to propulsion issues experienced in space.

Initially scheduled for a February return aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule, the flight was postponed to March. Wilmore and Williams, integrated into Crew-9, will finally make their way back home after Crew-10 arrives at the space station.

Collaboration Between NASA and India for Earth Observation Satellite in March

Nasa is embarking on an exciting collaboration with India’s space agency, focusing on a mission to monitor Earth’s land and ice.

This initiative will be realized through the NISAR satellite, designed to scan the planet’s surfaces twice every 12 days, measuring significant changes across various regions. The satellite is slated to launch from the Indian Space Research Organisation’s spaceport, the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, located on India’s southeastern coast.

Private Astronaut Mission to the ISS Scheduled for Spring

This spring, private astronauts are set to embark on Axiom Space’s fourth mission to the International Space Station. The four crew members are currently awaiting approval for their launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Axiom’s inaugural private mission in 2022 redefined the concept of “astronaut.” Traditionally, this title was reserved for government pilots, but recent years have seen a rise in “space tourists.” With Axiom’s mission, a new category emerged: privately trained individuals conducting commercial scientific research in space. Axiom crews undergo extensive training, ranging from 750 to over 1,000 hours.

Twin Spacecraft Set for Mars Exploration: Launching This Spring

The Escapade mission, funded by NASA, aims to explore the intricate dynamics of solar radiation and its effects on the Martian atmosphere. This mission will involve two orbiters designed by Rocket Lab specifically for Mars.

Originally planned for October aboard Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, the launch faced delays, prompting NASA and Blue Origin to discuss a new launch timeline for the mission, with aspirations set for no earlier than spring 2025.

Lucy Spacecraft’s Encounter with Asteroid on April 20

Nasa’s Lucy spacecraft embarked on an ambitious 12-year mission to explore a series of asteroids sharing Jupiter’s orbit. On April 20, Lucy will have a close encounter with a small main-belt asteroid named Donaldjohanson, serving as a preliminary test sequence before it begins its visits to seven Trojan asteroids.

This asteroid, affectionately called DJ, is only 2.5 miles wide and features an exceptionally slow rotation that takes over ten days to complete. The results of this encounter will provide invaluable insights into the characteristics of asteroids and their formation in our solar system.

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Experience the Peak of the Lyrids Meteor Shower: April 21-22

Meteor showers are a spectacular annual event, occurring as Earth traverses the debris trails left by comets. Each time a comet races through the inner solar system, it sheds material, creating a path of dust and debris. When Earth intersects with this debris, the result can be a breathtaking display, with potentially hundreds of meteors visible each hour. The Lyrid meteor shower, which originates from comet Thatcher, is particularly remarkable. Visible primarily from the Northern Hemisphere, the Lyrids will be active from April 17 to 26.

Catch the Peak of the Eta Aquariids Meteor Shower: May 3-4

The Eta Aquariids meteor shower, best viewed from southern regions, is renowned for producing brilliant “persistent trains” of shooting stars. This shower is one of two annual events resulting from debris from Halley’s Comet. Expect to witness this celestial event from April 20 to May 21, as the skies light up with shooting stars.

Observing the Peak of the Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower: July 29-30

The Delta Aquariids meteor shower is another spectacle best appreciated from southern regions. Observers can expect favorable conditions for viewing meteors during the morning hours. Astronomers theorize that the debris contributing to this event originates from the enigmatic Comet Machholz. The shower will be active from July 18 to August 12, offering a chance to witness this celestial phenomenon.

Experience the Peak of the Perseids Meteor Shower: August 12-13

The highly anticipated Perseids, derived from the remnants of comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, is typically an extraordinary show for stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere. This meteor shower will be active from July 17 to August 23. However, this year, the waning gibbous moon, which will be over 80 percent full, could hinder visibility, allowing only the brightest meteors to be observed.

Astrobotic’s Second Attempt at a Lunar Landing Scheduled for Fall

Astrobotic Technologies aims to become the first commercial entity to successfully land on the moon after a previous attempt fell short due to a fuel leak just hours into the flight. The company is planning a second attempt this fall with its Griffin lander.

Initially, this mission was intended to carry a NASA rover tasked with drilling for ice at the lunar south pole, but the VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) project was canceled due to budget issues. Despite the cancellation, Griffin will proceed with its mission as a demonstration of the lander and its engines.

Peak of the Orionids Meteor Shower: October 22-23

The Orionids meteor shower signifies the return of activity from Halley’s Comet debris. While recent displays have been somewhat lackluster, favorable conditions in 2025 may enhance visibility, as a waning crescent moon will rise near dawn, minimizing light interference. This celestial event will run from October 2 to November 12, providing an excellent opportunity for stargazers.

Peak of the Southern Taurids Meteor Shower: November 3-4

The Southern Taurids present a complex meteor shower, usually characterized by weak displays. However, some years witness an uptick in activity. In 2025, astronomers predict a “swarm year,” which could result in a higher than usual number of fireballs as Earth traverses a cluster of pebble-sized fragments from Comet Encke. Despite this potential, the moon’s phase may interfere with visibility, as the shower will

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