Space agencies around the world are gearing up to launch highly exciting space missions, 10 Mind-Blowing Space Missions of 2024 across the moon and Mars, and are set to unfold mysteries. These missions promise to redefine our understanding of the universe, unraveling mysteries and shaping the future of space exploration.
In 2023, pivotal achievements marked the realm of space exploration, such as NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission successfully retrieving a sample from an asteroid. Additionally, India embarked on notable missions, including Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L1. Some most exciting space missions of 2024.
10 Mind-Blowing Space Missions of 2024
(1) Intuitive Machines 1 (IM-1, TO2-IM)/ Nova-Lander
The Intuitive Machines 1 (IM-1, TO2-IM) mission aims to deploy the Nova-C lander to crater Malapert A, situated near the Moon’s south pole. The Nova-C Lander, a hexagonal cylinder with dimensions of 4.0 meters in height and 1.57 meters in width, is supported by six landing legs and is designed to carry five NASA payloads along with commercial cargo.
Scientifically, the mission focuses on the study of plume-surface interactions, radio astronomy, and space weather interactions with the lunar surface. The lander can function for approximately 14 Earth days in sunlight. The scheduled launch, expected no earlier than mid-February 2024, will be facilitated by a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral. It is one of the commercial space missions of 2024 of NASA
(2) NISAR
NISAR, short for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, represents a collaborative venture between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Pioneering a groundbreaking approach, NISAR is poised to become the premier radar system in space, employing both L-band and S-band radar frequencies for a comprehensive mapping of Earth’s surface changes. Positioned in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), this observatory will systematically monitor Earth’s evolving ecosystems, dynamic surfaces, and ice masses. The anticipated launch for NISAR by ISRO is scheduled for the first quarter of 2024. This mission is the most anticipated space mission of 2024.
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(3) Chang’e 6
The upcoming Chang’e 6 mission is a designated lunar lander to retrieve samples from the lunar south pole. This ambitious mission is geared towards obtaining samples that include material ejected from the lunar mantle, offering valuable insights into the histories of the Moon, Earth, and the Solar System. China is poised to make its pioneering attempt to collect samples from the far side of the Moon, with the launch anticipated in May 2024. Preceding the main mission, a relay satellite is scheduled to fly in the months leading up to provide essential support. This is the CNSA space missions of 2024.
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(4) Martian Moon eXploration (MMX)
The Mars Moon eXploration (MMX) mission, spearheaded by JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), is a spacecraft dedicated to the comprehensive study of the Martian moon Phobos, with the ultimate objective of collecting a sample from its surface for subsequent return to Earth. At the core of the mission lies a crucial scientific endeavor: unraveling the origin of the two Martian moons and deciphering the evolutionary processes shaping the Martian Sphere, encompassing Mars, Phobos, and Deimos. It is one of the space missions of 2024.
The MMX mission consists of three integral modules, including a return module weighing around 1350 kg, an exploration module at 150 kg, and a propulsion module at 1990 kg, resulting in a cumulative mass of approximately 3400 kg, inclusive of propellant. In terms of configuration, the three modules are arranged with the propulsion module at the base, the return module positioned above it, and the exploration module crowning the structure. This orchestrated design underscores the mission’s sophisticated approach to deepening our understanding of Martian moons and their cosmic origins. This mission is expected to launch in 2024.
(5) Hera
Hera, a pivotal European Space Agency (ESA) mission, is slated to explore the asteroid Didymos and its moon Dimorphos as part of the collaborative efforts in the NASA/ESA Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA) initiative. Positioned as a planetary defense mission, Hera is currently in development and is scheduled for launch in October 2024.
The primary objectives of Hera encompass a comprehensive investigation of the Didymos binary asteroid, marking the inaugural assessment of its internal properties. Additionally, Hera aims to meticulously measure the outcomes of NASA’s DART mission kinetic impactor test, which occurred on 26 September 2022. Beyond its immediate goals, Hera is poised to contribute immensely to future asteroid deflection missions, offering crucial insights into asteroid geophysics, solar system formation, and evolutionary processes. It is the most advanced space missions of 2024.
(6) VIPER/ Griffin Mission 1
The Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER), a key component of Griffin Mission 1, is a lunar rover designed for an extensive exploration mission in the Moon’s south polar region scheduled for November 2024. Tasked with searching the regolith for water ice and other volatiles, VIPER is slated for a 100-day mission.
The core objectives encompass unraveling the origin and distribution of water on the Moon, with a strategic focus on identifying ways to harness lunar resources for future human exploration endeavors. As a vital component of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, VIPER is part of a collaboration where NASA engages with commercial partners to provide the launch and lander.
This groundbreaking mission not only sets the stage for future lunar exploration but also plays a pivotal role in paving the way for NASA’s ambitious Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon by 2028. The designated landing site for VIPER is the South Pole of the Moon. It is one of the space missions of 2024.
(7) Lunar Trailblazer
Scheduled for launch in 2024, NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer orbiter is poised to revolutionize our understanding of the Moon’s water distribution. Tailored for the critical task of mapping lunar water, Trailblazer represents a pioneering class of highly focused and cost-effective scientific satellites within NASA’s planetary missions. Weighing in at 210 kilograms (463 pounds), this innovative spacecraft will hitch a ride on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Trailblazer’s mission is to furnish high-resolution maps and contextual information crucial for future surface missions, particularly those targeting the Moon’s poles.
Drawing inspiration from the success of ISRO’s Chandrayaan-1, Trailblazer employs an infrared spectrometer to discern water (H2O) and hydroxyl (OH) molecules. This detection is based on the analysis of how the Moon’s surface interacts with and absorbs infrared light. As Trailblazer ventures forth, it holds the promise of unlocking new dimensions in lunar exploration, providing invaluable data for upcoming missions, and advancing our comprehension of lunar water resources. It is one of the space missions of 2024.
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(8) EscaPADE- A Mission to Mars
EscaPADE, short for the Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers, constitutes a dual-spacecraft mission meticulously crafted to investigate ion and sputtered escape phenomena from Mars. Initially planned for launch alongside the Psyche mission in August 2022, the identical spacecraft encountered trajectory issues, prompting their removal. A recalibrated launch opportunity is in the works, likely involving rideshares in 2024.
As part of a cost-efficient approach to planetary science, EscaPADE exemplifies a new class of small missions, allowing scientists to propose concepts for modest probes to explore the solar system. This flexibility in design comes with a relatively lower cost, enabling NASA to assume some additional risk, a luxury not afforded with billion-dollar Mars missions.
The Twin Photon spacecraft, integral to EscaPADE, will play a pivotal role in scrutinizing Mars’ unique hybrid magnetosphere. With a mission focus on comprehending the processes governing the structure of Mars’ hybrid magnetosphere and its influence on ion flows, EscaPADE stands as a testament to NASA’s commitment to advancing planetary science with innovative, cost-effective missions. It is one of the space missions of 2024.
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(9) Europa Clipper
NASA’s Europa Clipper mission represents a groundbreaking endeavor poised to unravel the mysteries of Jupiter’s moon Europa. With the primary goal of determining whether the icy moon hosts conditions conducive to life, the spacecraft is scheduled for launch in October 2024. Upon reaching its destination, the mission plans to insert the spacecraft into orbit around Jupiter in April 2030.
This strategic positioning will enable the Europa Clipper to conduct an extensive and detailed reconnaissance of Europa, involving numerous close flybys. Through these maneuvers, the spacecraft aims to gather comprehensive data that will provide insights into the moon’s composition, surface features, and potential habitability, marking a significant step forward in our quest to understand the potential for life beyond Earth. It is one of the space missions of 2024.
(10) LUCY
Named after ‘Lucy,’ a 3.2 million-year-old ancestor from a species of hominins, the Lucy mission represents the inaugural exploration of Jupiter’s Trojan asteroids. These asteroids, with the largest among them spanning approximately 160 miles (250 kilometers) in width, constitute a population of remnants from the primordial materials that shaped our solar system’s giant planets, including Jupiter. Sharing an orbit with Jupiter as it orbits the Sun, these asteroids offer a unique window into the early solar system’s formation. Launched in October 2021.
Lucy is set for its second Earth flyby in December 2024. This mission holds the promise of unraveling critical insights into the origins of our solar system and the dynamic processes that influenced the evolution of celestial bodies.
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