As 2024 draws to a close, the anticipation for space exploration in 2025 is building. Recently, Jared Isaacman, the billionaire entrepreneur and head of Shift4 Payments, has been appointed by President-elect Donald Trump as the new NASA administrator. With two successful spaceflights with SpaceX under his belt, Isaacman is well-positioned to champion the commercial space sector.
In December, SpaceX completed a significant milestone by successfully launching a new radio satellite for SiriusXM from the iconic Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Meanwhile, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe made history by flying closer to the sun than any previous probe, achieving this feat on Christmas Eve. Launched in 2018, the probe has been gradually approaching the sun through 22 orbits and is set to come within 3.8 million miles of the sun, delving into its corona to gather vital data on the solar atmosphere.
However, not all December space endeavors met with success. Japanese startup Space One faced a significant challenge when its Kairos rocket self-destructed shortly after liftoff from Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture on December 18. This incident marked the second failure for Space One this year in its quest to become Japan’s pioneering private company to successfully launch a satellite into orbit.
As we transition into the new year, numerous thrilling space missions are on the docket from various governmental agencies and private aerospace firms.
Upcoming Space Missions for January 2025
Here are five noteworthy space missions to watch for in January 2025:
SpaceX’s Seventh Starship Test
Set for January 11, SpaceX is preparing for its seventh test of the Starship. Towering at nearly 400 feet, the Starship is recognized as the largest and most powerful rocket globally, integral to Elon Musk’s aspirations for Mars colonization. This test will focus on achieving a controlled landing of the rocket’s upper-stage capsule in the Indian Ocean, while also aiming to recover its Super Heavy booster back at the Boca Chica, Texas launch site.
NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer Mission
Nasa’s Lunar Trailblazer mission is gearing up to begin its orbit around the moon next month, with the goal of enhancing our knowledge of lunar water resources. This satellite will be launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center and will map the distribution, form, and location of water on the moon from an altitude of 60 miles.
China’s Long March 8A Rocket Launch
In January, we will witness the maiden launch of China’s Long March 8A rocket, engineered by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology for missions in medium- and low-Earth orbit. After 28 months of development and 44 ground tests, this rocket is set to launch from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan province, China.
Firefly Aerospace’s Lunar Expedition
Firefly Aerospace, based in Cedar Park, Texas, is getting ready for a lunar mission titled “Ghost Riders in the Sky.” The mission involves launching its Blue Ghost lander via a Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center in mid-January. The lander is slated to spend approximately 45 days in lunar orbit before conducting research in a volcanic area within the Mare Crisium basin, delivering ten NASA payloads to the moon’s surface.
ispace’s Second Attempt at Moon Landing
Japanese company ispace will collaborate with Firefly’s lunar mission by sending its Resilience lunar lander aboard the Falcon 9 rocket. Partially funded by the Japanese space agency JAXA, the mission aims for a landing near Mare Frigoris, a basaltic plain situated in the moon’s northern hemisphere, about four to five months after launch. The lander will undertake various tasks, including soil sample collection and radiation studies, in partnership with NASA.
With these exciting space missions on the horizon, the new year promises to deliver thrilling advancements in the field of space exploration. Stay tuned for more intriguing updates from the cosmos!
