Space / NASA
Space launches, NASA missions, SpaceX events, and major astronomical announcements.
Upcoming Events
December Solstice 2026 — Winter Solstice
The December solstice marks the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the official start of astronomical winter. The Sun reaches its southernmost point in the sky at 20:49 UTC. Coincides with the peak of the Ursid meteor shower.
Ursid Meteor Shower Peak 2026
The Ursid meteor shower peaks around December 21–22, coinciding with the winter solstice. Produced by debris from comet 8P/Tuttle, it radiates from the constellation Ursa Minor near Polaris. Expect 5–10 meteors per hour; the bright gibbous moon may reduce visibility in 2026.
Cold Supermoon — December 2026
The Full Cold Moon is the third and final supermoon of 2026 and the year's largest, appearing about 8%% larger and 16%% brighter than an average full moon at its closest approach to Earth.
ESA Solar Orbiter Fifth Venus Flyby
ESA's Solar Orbiter performs its fifth gravity-assist flyby of Venus, tilting its orbit to about 24 degrees and beginning the high-latitude mission phase for improved imaging of the Sun's polar regions.
ESA Hera Arrives at Didymos Asteroid System
ESA Hera spacecraft arrives at the Didymos double asteroid system to investigate the aftermath of NASA DART kinetic impact on Dimorphos, beginning a six-month study of planetary defense.
Venus at Greatest Western Elongation
Venus reaches its greatest western elongation of about 47 degrees from the Sun, marking the best time to see the dazzling Morning Star before sunrise in the eastern sky.
Quadrantid Meteor Shower Peak 2027
The Quadrantid meteor shower peaks in early January 2027, one of the strongest annual meteor showers with up to 120 meteors per hour under ideal conditions.
SpaceCom | Space Congress 2027
The global commercial space conference and expo returns to Orlando as the business engine of Commercial Space Week 2027, focused on commercialization, procurement, investment and partnerships across the space economy. Expo runs 12-14 January; conference 13-14 January.
Vast Haven-1 Space Station Launch
Vast Space launches Haven-1, the world's first commercial space station, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Originally targeted for May 2026, now delayed to no earlier than Q1 2027. The single-module station will host up to four short-duration astronaut missions during its three-year lifespan.
Axiom Mission 5 — Private Astronaut ISS Mission
The fifth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, organized by Axiom Space. Up to 14 days aboard the ISS, launching from Kennedy Space Center on a SpaceX Crew Dragon.
Wolf Supermoon — January 2027
The first supermoon of 2027. January's full Moon, the Wolf Moon, occurs near lunar perigee at 12:18 UTC and will appear slightly larger and brighter than usual.
19th European Space Conference
Europe's top-level space policy gathering, bringing together ESA, EU and industry leaders at SQUARE Brussels.
Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation — February 2027
Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 18.3 degrees from the Sun, visible low in the western sky after sunset.
Annular Solar Eclipse — South America & West Africa
A "ring of fire" annular solar eclipse with a path of annularity crossing Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and parts of West Africa (Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin). Partial eclipse visible across much of Africa and South America.
Comet 2P/Encke at Perihelion 2027
The famous short-period comet 2P/Encke reaches perihelion, its closest approach to the Sun at 0.34 AU, brightening to around magnitude 4.9 on its 3.3-year orbit.
Jupiter at Opposition 2027
Jupiter reaches opposition, appearing at its biggest and brightest for the year and visible all night long. Optimal time to observe the king of the planets.
Mars at Opposition
Mars reaches opposition on February 19, 2027, appearing at its brightest and closest to Earth. The Red Planet will shine prominently in the constellation Leo, approximately 63 million miles from Earth.
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse — February 2027
A penumbral lunar eclipse where the Moon passes through Earth's outer shadow. Greatest eclipse at 23:12 UTC on February 20, 2027.
Snow Supermoon — February 2027
The second supermoon of 2027. February's full Moon, the Snow Moon, reaches full phase at 23:24 UTC and coincides with a penumbral lunar eclipse.
SATELLITE 2027 Conference and Exhibition
The satellite industry's largest annual gathering returns to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, bringing together operators, launch providers, manufacturers and government space leaders.