Gaganyaan to Dragonfly: 8 Major Space Missions To Watch in 2025

The year 2025 is packed with ambitious space missions that could redefine how we explore Earth, the Moon, Mars, and beyond. From India’s first human spaceflight prep to NASA’s interplanetary studies, here are 8 upcoming missions you should follow closely:

🚀 1. Gaganyaan-1 & Gaganyaan-2 (ISRO)

India's Gaganyaan program marks a critical leap into human spaceflight.

Gaganyaan-2 (early 2025): Will test key systems like parachutes and crew escape mechanisms.

Gaganyaan-1 (late 2025): Will launch with a humanoid robot to assess life-support systems.

These tests set the stage for India’s first crewed mission in 2026.

🌍 2. NISAR (NASA–ISRO)

Slated for a March 2025 launch, this joint Earth observation satellite will monitor:

Ice melt

Earthquakes

Forest loss

NISAR uses dual-frequency radar to help scientists understand climate change and support disaster preparedness globally.

🌌 3. SPHEREx (NASA)

Launching in April 2025, SPHEREx is a space telescope that will:

Map over 300 million galaxies

Study water and life-forming elements in space

Help decode the origins of the universe

🛰️ 4. ESCAPADE Mars Mission

NASA's Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers will send two spacecraft to Mars.

Objective: Understand how the solar wind affects Mars’ atmosphere, offering insight into its climate evolution and preparing for future human missions.

🌕 5. SpaceX Starship Test Flights

SpaceX’s Starship is a game-changer for Mars colonization and NASA’s Artemis program.

In 2025, expect multiple orbital test flights to validate cargo delivery, reusability, and lunar mission compatibility.

🌙 6. Artemis II (NASA)

Although launching in April 2026, 2025 will see final testing and prep for Artemis II.

First crewed lunar flyby in 50+ years

4 astronauts will circle the Moon, testing life-support and navigation

This is a vital step toward Artemis III, which aims for a crewed Moon landing.

🌌 7. Axiom Mission 4

Launching June 2025, this private spaceflight mission includes astronauts from:

India

USA

Hungary

Poland

Axiom-4 will head to the International Space Station (ISS) via SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, promoting commercial space travel and microgravity research.

🌠 8. Dragonfly (NASA) – Prep Phase

NASA’s Dragonfly mission will enter its final prep stage in 2025.

Launch planned for 2028

Will land a rotorcraft on Titan, Saturn’s moon

Aims to study prebiotic chemistry and search for signs of life