In a year marked by significant advancements in space science, 2026 is poised to be a transformative period for exploration and discovery. As missions long in the planning stages begin to take shape, innovative approaches to lunar and deep-space exploration are emerging, and observational capabilities are becoming increasingly interconnected. This shift towards coordinated science across the solar system and beyond was recently discussed by SETI Institute Communications Specialist Beth Johnson and SETI Institute Senior Planetary Astronomer Dr. Franck Marchis in a SETI --- conversation. They highlighted the missions, milestones, and observations that will define space science in 2026, placing individual missions within a broader scientific framework focused on planetary systems, cosmic environments, and humanity's place in the universe. A key event that has shaped the scientific momentum entering 2026 is the discovery of interstellar comet 3I / ATLAS in mid-2025. Detected by the ATLAS survey, the object was identified as interstellar due to its hyperbolic orbit, indicating it originated outside the Sun's gravitational influence. Further observations revealed clear cometary activity, leading to its classification as an exocomet. Notably, measurements of gas-to-dust ratios using spectroscopy showed chemical behavior distinct from most Solar System comets, consistent with formation in a different stellar environment.
2026 is shaping up to be a notable year for space science. Long-planned missions are entering active phases, new approaches to lunar and deep-space ...Other references and insights: See here
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