Big Space Missions Planned for 2024

This illustration provided by Astrobotic Technology in 2024 depicts the Peregrine lunar lander on the surface of the moon. Its expected launch date is Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. (Astrobotic Technology via AP)

The year 2024 holds great promise for space exploration, with several exciting missions on the horizon. 

From returning astronauts to the moon to searching for signs of life on Jupiter's moon Europa, these missions are set to push the boundaries of human knowledge and expand our understanding of the universe. 

In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most anticipated space missions planned for 2024.

Artemis II: Returning to the Moon

In 2022, NASA launched the first flight of the Artemis program, known as Artemis I, which sent the Orion spacecraft on a trip to fly around the moon. 

The goal of the Artemis program is to return astronauts to the moon for the first time since NASA's Apollo 17 mission in 1972. Artemis I successfully tested the Orion spacecraft and NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

Building on the success of Artemis I, NASA plans to launch Artemis II in late 2024. This mission will follow the same path as Artemis I but with a crucial difference – it will carry four NASA astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft. 

The primary objective of Artemis II is to confirm that all systems of the spacecraft operate as designed with crew aboard in the actual environment of deep space.

"Artemis II aims to confirm all of the spacecraft's systems operate as designed with crew aboard in the actual environment of deep space." - NASA

Lunar Landers: Exploring the Moon's Surface

While Artemis II will not complete a landing, several other lunar landers are expected to touch down on the moon's surface in 2024. One of the first launches scheduled for January 8 is the Peregrine lander, developed by the American space company Astrobotic Technology. 

Peregrine, standing at 1.9 meters tall, will launch aboard the Vulcan Centaur rocket made by United Launch Alliance. It will carry 20 research experiments from seven countries and aims to land in an area known as Sinus Viscositatis, adjacent to the Gruithuisen Domes, the largest dark spot on the near side of the moon.

Another significant lunar lander mission planned for late 2024 is the Astrobotic lander named Griffin. Griffin will carry an exploring robot called VIPER, designed to search for water sources on the moon's south pole. With these missions, both Astrobotic Technology and Intuitive Machines, an American space company, will contribute to the exploration and scientific understanding of Earth's nearest celestial neighbor.

Additionally, Japan's space agency will attempt to become the fifth nation to reach the moon's surface in mid-January with the SLIM spacecraft. The mission goal of SLIM is to test the possibility of landing on specific targets, contributing to the advancement of lunar exploration technology.

Hera Mission: Exploring Asteroid Systems

In October, the European Space Agency (ESA) is set to launch its Hera spacecraft on a mission to return to the asteroid system called Didymos. This system was previously visited by NASA's DART spacecraft in 2022. 

The primary objective of Hera is to collect data on Didymos and closely examine its physical properties. By measuring the detailed effects of DART's crash, Hera will provide valuable insights into asteroid systems and enhance our understanding of their composition and behavior.

Europa Clipper: Searching for Life on Jupiter's Moon

One of NASA's most exciting missions planned for 2024 is the Europa Clipper. This orbiter is specifically designed to carry out close examinations of Jupiter's moon Europa, which scientists believe may hold the right conditions to support life.

 The Europa Clipper will fly in orbit around Jupiter and perform repeated close flybys of the icy moon, gathering crucial data to determine its potential habitability.

"The Europa Clipper mission will look for signs that the icy moon might hold the right conditions to support life." - NASA

Boeing's Starliner Test Flight: Advancing Crewed Space Travel

NASA, in collaboration with Boeing, is preparing for the first crewed test flight of the Starliner spacecraft. Following its first uncrewed flight test to the International Space Station (ISS) in May 2022, Boeing has been working on resolving technical difficulties before the planned crewed flight.

 The target date for Starliner's readiness is March 2024, with the actual launch date to be determined later. This mission holds immense significance as it marks a significant step forward in advancing crewed space travel capabilities.

SpaceX Starship Test: Pushing Boundaries with Super-Heavy Spacecraft

SpaceX, a key partner of NASA, has been at the forefront of space exploration since 2020, transporting astronauts and materials to the ISS using its reliable rockets and spacecraft.

 In 2024, SpaceX aims to conduct a successful test flight of its super-heavy Starship spacecraft. However, the journey to this point has not been without challenges. 

SpaceX faced two failed Starship tests in 2023, resulting in explosions and significant launch site damage in Texas.

"SpaceX has been examining the issues related to the explosions and plans to carry out another test of Starship as soon as possible." - SpaceX

Despite these setbacks, SpaceX remains committed to pushing the boundaries of space exploration. The company is determined to address the technical issues, pending approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and proceed with another test to further refine the capabilities of the Starship spacecraft.

As we look ahead to 2024, the year promises to be an exciting one for space missions. NASA's Artemis program aims to return astronauts to the moon, while lunar landers from various countries and private companies will explore the moon's surface. 

The Hera mission will deepen our understanding of asteroid systems, and the Europa Clipper will search for signs of life on Jupiter's moon Europa.

 Furthermore, Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Starship will advance crewed space travel capabilities and push the boundaries of human exploration. 

Stay tuned for these groundbreaking missions that will shape our understanding of the universe and pave the way for future space exploration endeavors.