AI   Moon   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation  
SpaceNews.com • SpaceNews Editor

The moon, AI and the high-stakes decisions shaping space’s future

A convergence of lunar ambitions and rapidly advancing artificial intelligence is driving urgent policy, procurement and commercial choices that will determine who operates and profits off the Moon. This story examines the high‑stakes legal, technical and strategic decisions shaping the next decade of off‑Earth activity.

2026-01-08T08:06:50.541254-08:00
Satellite   Europe   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Space Policy & International Cooperation  
ESA

ESA DG outlines 2026 milestones: SMILE launch and BepiColombo Mercury arrival

By ESA: Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency, briefed journalists on the main milestones for 2026, such as the launch of Smile, a mission that will give humankind its first complete look at how Earth reacts to streams of particles and bursts of radiation from the Sun.

Also: SpaceWatch Global and ESA
2026-01-08T03:49:42.336976-08:00