Who Is Going to Space Next: Upcoming Astronaut Missions and Flights

Upcoming Crewed Spaceflight Missions: An Overview

Who is going to space next depends on the program, agency, and mission type, from national space agency expeditions to commercial crew rotations and space tourism flights. In the near term, schedules are most concrete for the International Space Station (ISS), where NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA, and CSA regularly launch astronauts. Commercial crew vehicles from SpaceX and Boeing have shifted the cadence for U.S. access, while Soyuz and, increasingly, Crew Dragon and Starliner rotations set the near-term manifest. Meanwhile, lunar programs and future deep-space missions are progressing through uncrewed tests, with human flights planned for later in the decade. Below, we break down confirmed schedules, agencies involved, and what to watch for across major programs.

Consolidated Launch Schedules by Program

Public agencies and companies typically publish manifest windows, though dates often slip due to reviews, weather, or technical issues. High-value documentation includes official mission assignment announcements, launch dates, and vehicle details. The table below reflects publicly confirmed assignments and milestones as they are reported by agencies and trusted industry trackers. Independent verification improves clarity when multiple sources align.

Confirmed, Pending, and Long-Term Crewed Missions

The following table summarizes notable upcoming human spaceflights by program, mission scope, and publicly stated timelines. Scheduling reliability varies by program and region.

Government Human Spaceflight Programs

National programs set the backbone of long-duration missions and deep-space exploration. Agencies often pre-announce astronaut assignments years ahead of launch, though slips are common. Planned sequences include ISS expeditions through the late 2020s and the Artemis campaign targeting lunar orbit and surface missions. Milestones such as uncrewed test flights precede crewed flights, which reduces near-term uncertainty for public schedules.

NASA’s Near-Term Human Spaceflight Plan

NASA’s current planning shows ISS crew rotations via SpaceX Crew Dragon and Boeing Starliner, plus the Artemis program’s phased approach. Artemis II will send astronauts around the Moon, while subsequent Artemis missions aim for surface activities. The agency also supports commercial low-Earth orbit development to transition ISS responsibilities to private stations. Public mission assignments and timelines are updated on NASA’s official sites and via international partner agreements.

Roscosmos and International Partnerships

Roscosmos continues Soyuz flights for ISS crew transport, with international seats sold to space agencies and, formerly, private tourists. The agency contributes critical experience in long-duration flight and is a partner in lunar initiatives through the International Lunar Research Station concept. Soyuz remains a reliable fallback for time-sensitive ISS crew rotations when other vehicles face delays.

International Contributions (ESA, JAXA, CSA)

ESA, JAXA, and the Canadian Space Agency provide astronauts, science experiments, and hardware for ISS missions. Their flight opportunities typically align with major research campaigns and station utilization plans. Public mission pages list astronaut names and launch windows once slots are confirmed by program management.

Commercial Crew and the Changing Launch Landscape

Commercial providers have shortened planning cycles and increased launch frequency compared to traditional agency-led programs. SpaceX Crew Dragon currently conducts regular ISS rotations, while Boeing Starliner is completing test objectives before routine crewed service. Market demand and revenue models drive growth in private astronaut flights, including short-duration orbital missions and suborbital tourism. Safety certification and launch infrastructure shape realistic cadence, so publicly confirmed dates carry higher weight than informal rumors.

Key Commercial Vehicles in Operation or Development

• SpaceX Crew Dragon: Operational ISS rotations and potential lunar mission concepts.
• Boeing Starliner: Testing phase with planned crewed service pending reviews.
• Soyuz: Established ISS crew transport with multinational seats.
• Emergent commercial stations: Early development, first modules late 2020s.

Lunar, Deep-Space, and Future Concepts

Beyond low-Earth orbit, agencies and companies are completing precursor missions before committing humans to distant targets. Artemis serves as NASA’s framework for lunar return, leveraging the Orion spacecraft and Gateway station elements. Other concepts, such as lunar tourist missions and broader deep-space campaigns, remain earlier stage and highly dependent on funding, technical readiness, and international agreements. Independent trackers monitor official reviews, test milestones, and contract awards to distinguish near-term possibilities from longer-term proposals.

How to Track Upcoming Spaceflights Responsibly

Because schedules shift, rely on primary sources for crewed mission information: agency mission pages, verified press kits, and reputable launch-tracking outlets. Cross-reference multiple organizations to reduce the impact of outdated or speculative reports. Watch for official astronaut class announcements, vehicle certification reviews, and government reviews that precede launch dates. When evaluating third-party claims, prioritize those that cite primary documents and explain uncertainty rather than asserting fixed timelines.

Quick Reference: What to Watch in the Coming Years

• Official crewed mission announcements from NASA, Roscosmos, and international partners.
• Completion of uncrewed test flights for new vehicles (e.g., Starliner).
• Artemis II mission assignment and timeline updates.
• Progress and certification of commercial space stations.
• Consistent press kit releases with verified launch dates and crew assignments.