The world of space exploration is abuzz as we near the end of 2024. Exciting milestones have been achieved, such as Blue Origin’s successful 28th mission with the New Shepard spacecraft carrying six civilians, including aerospace engineer Emily Calandrelli, making her the 100th woman in space. Blue Origin’s momentum continues with plans for the debut launch of the New Glenn rocket in December.

Rocket Lab has been busy with missions from New Zealand and Virginia, while SpaceX conducted its sixth Starship test. JAXA launched a defense satellite from the Tanegashima Space Center, and Roscosmos sent satellites to monitor the Earth’s ionosphere.

Looking ahead to December 2024, there are five thrilling space missions to keep an eye on:

1. On December 2, SpaceX will launch a radio satellite for SiriusXM using a Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The SXM-9 satellite, built by Maxar Technologies, will join the SiriusXM constellation in orbit.

2. December 3 will see Arianespace launching the Sentinel-1C satellite aboard a Vega C rocket for an environmental data mission crucial for disaster response and climate research.

3. On December 20, ISRO will conduct a Space Docking Experiment, aiming to facilitate future missions involving human transfer between spacecraft or vehicle refueling.

4. Japan’s ispace is planning a lunar exploration mission, sending the Resilience lunar lander with a rover, radiation probe, and an art project to the moon. The launch date is yet to be announced.

5. Lastly, keep an eye out for Blue Origin’s maiden New Glenn launch. This highly anticipated event will test the company’s Blue Ring hardware and signify a significant milestone in Blue Origin’s space endeavors.

Exciting times lie ahead in the realm of space exploration, with these upcoming missions showcasing the innovation and ambition driving the industry forward. Stay tuned for more updates on these groundbreaking space endeavors!