Two recent events have put extraterrestrial space into the spotlight: The spectacular launch of Artemis II to the Moon, and the release of the sci-fi movie Project Hail Mary. Space is a new frontier for geoscience. At IMAGE 2026, there will be a special session on the exploration of the Moon, Mars, and asteroids.
This week, we will look at some of the space events that will dominate the years ahead.
Rasoul Sorkhabi
Editor, Core Elements
Artemis and the International Space Station
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman (left) and Artemis II astronaut crew Commander Reid Wiseman, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen (CSA- Canada) speak to members of the media during the Artemis II SLS rollout Jan. 17, 2026. Photo by NASA/ Kim Shiflett.
NASA’s Artemis program, launched in 2017, aims to establish a permanent lunar base in the 2030s in five stages:
Artemis I (2022) sent the uncrewed Orion orbiter to the Moon.
Artemis II (2026) sent the first crewed test flight on a ten-day mission to orbit the Moon.
Artemis III (planned for 2027) will be a new demonstration mission in low Earth orbit to test one or both commercial landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin.
Artemis IV (2028) will be the first Artemis lunar landing.
Artemis V (late 2028) will use the standard SLS (Space Launch System) rocket configuration. NASA expects to launch this lunar surface mission, with subsequent missions planned roughly once per year.
The International Space Station (ISS)
Ad Astra, published quarterly by the National Space Society, has a special issue on the International Space Station, which turned 25 last year. Here are some highlights from the article, but first, a note on why space stations are important.
Why we need space stations:
Space stations gather important scientific data about our planet.
One important motivation for space stations is microgravity, which offers unique opportunities for the manufacturing of pure fiber-optic glass, novel alloys, and biological materials.
Space stations are humanity’s baby steps toward space habitats and communities.
ISS history:
The ISS has five partner space agencies: NASA, the European Space Agency, Russia’s Roscosmos, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency.
China is not part of the ISS. In 2021, China placed its own space station named Tiangong, which is currently crewed by three astronauts.
The ISS was assembled in 1988 with a Russian module, Zarya, followed by an American Unity node.
NASA’s Lunar Gateway, scheduled to be placed in the Moon’s orbit in 2030, will serve as a research lab and logistical hub for the Moon.
A new generation of commercial space stations is on the horizon, including those from companies such as Axiom Space, Orbital Reef, Starlab Space, and Vast Space.
Venezuela Technical Symposium and E&P Summit
The Woodlands, Texas | 18–19 May 2026
Explore Venezuela’s geology, petroleum systems, and E&P potential at this exclusive two-day, in-person event. Gain technical insights and real-world business perspective on operating in-country.
The U.S. National Academies (NAS) has published a 240-page report on a science strategy for the human exploration of Mars.
Here are some of the scientific questions and goals outlined by the NAS panels.
Astrobiology:
Is there any evidence for extant or extinct life?
Do niche habitats exist on Mars where life could have survived?
Is there the potential for processes leading to prebiotic chemistry or the origin of life?
Atmospheric science and space physics:
What controls Mars’ present-day water and carbon dioxide cycles and the surface/subsurface volatiles?
How did the climate, water, and carbon dioxide cycles differ in Mars’ ancient past? This would be indicated by geologic evidence.
How did the climate, water, carbon dioxide, and dust cycles vary in the recent past (up to tens of millions of years ago), as is captured by the layered terrain?
How is Mars’ atmosphere being lost today, and how was it lost in the past?
Scientists hope to determine the present-day atmospheric isotopic and elemental composition and its sources and sinks.
Biological and physical sciences and human factors:
Are microbial population dynamics and species distribution in biological systems and habitable volumes stable and promoting health and performance throughout the mission?
What is the impact of the integrated longitudinal Martian environment (ILME) on the physiological, cognitive, emotional, and physical aspects of crew members, and can we confirm the effectiveness of countermeasures in maintaining allostasis?
What is the impact of an integrated Mars environment on plant physiology?
Scientists hope to ensure the crew has sufficient resources, capabilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform all required science and engineering tasks.
Geoscience goals:
Characterize past and present water and ice reservoirs within the exploration zone to understand geologic and climate evolution over Mars’ history
Characterize the rock record within the exploration zone to understand environmental changes over Mars’ history
Determine absolute ages of Martian events and tie them to the impact record to calibrate crater counts
Characterize igneous systems within the exploration zone to determine planet formation, differentiation, and volcanic history
Hear directly from experts across energy and technology on how AI is transforming subsurface decision-making. Learn from real use cases spanning drilling, production, and emerging energy solutions. Understand where AI is delivering value right now.
The Amateur Astronomers Association (AAA) administers a collaborative effort among amateur astronomers who want to explore outer space far away from the light-polluted urban skies.
Called the Gateway Project, its participants have access to two dark-sky telescopes: Gateway North and Gateway South.
Gateway North:
Located at Dark Sky Observatory in Fort Davis, Texas
Equipped with an Astrophysics 175-millimeter f8.3 EDF telescope
Gateway South:
Located in Río Hurtado, Chile
Equipped with an Astrophysics 130-millimeter Gran Tourismo telescope
Participation:
Members pay an annual access fee of $500 for one telescope or $850 for both.
Each operator gets two scheduled remote imaging sessions each month.
Go deeper: Read the May 2026 issue of Sky&Telescope.
P.S. Here is the answer to last week’s question: Which researcher has published the most papers in the AAPG Bulletin?
Here is the answer: Scott Montgomery published 52 papers from 1996 through 2005!
Want to help AAPG grow?
Consider supporting AAPG's free resources, like this one, by donating today.
AAPG thanks our advertisers for their support. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Advertise with us.
.png?upscale=true&width=220&upscale=true&name=Rasoul-Sorkhabi-Headshot-Signature%20(1).png)
