ESA preview 2026: Watch the video and discover the upcoming missions

Let’s take a look at what’s ahead for the European Space Agency - ESA in 2026, from Earth to the farthest reaches of the Solar System.

A video presenting the forthcoming missions and the scientific objectives to be pursued this year is available on the ESA website.

An overview of ESA’s activities for 2026 was also presented on 8 January.

ESA’s start-of-the-year press briefing looking ahead to 2026 with Director General Josef Aschbacher was an opportunity to hear about ESA's new scientific, exploration, Earth observation, connectivity and navigation missions for 2026 – and the technology and operations that underpin them all. And to hear about the main milestones for ESA this year, such as the launch of Smile, a mission that will give humankind its first complete look at how Earth reacts to streams of particles and bursts of radiation from the Sun. 

Later in 2026 should also see the arrival of BepiColombo at Mercury after its eight-year trip, where it will gather data to answer many perplexing questions about the least-explored planet of the inner Solar System.

Many more exciting missions are expected this year, with ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot launching for the International Space Station, and various Earth Observation and Navigation launches from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.  

You can also Download the press briefing slides.