Space Business Podcast #160 | 2026 in Space Preview | Raphael Roettgen, E2MC
Jan 6, 2026
Get ready for a thrilling ride through the future of space in 2026! Discover what launches and rockets are on the horizon, including innovative new entrants. Lunar missions are heating up with Artemis II and commercial landers. Human spaceflight activities are expected to flourish as new commercial stations emerge. Dive into the booming satellite communication sector with Starlink and Amazon Kuiper. Plus, learn about groundbreaking space science missions and significant U.S. government priorities. The future of space looks bright and full of potential!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Crowded Year For Maiden Launches
- The global launch landscape is crowded with many maiden attempts and retries in 2026.
- Multiple companies that failed or delayed in 2025 (Eris, Spectrum, Hanbit Nano) and others (Neutron, Rocket 4, Miura 5) will try again next year.
Cadence Matters For Big Constellations
- Established heavy and medium launchers will focus on ramping cadence to serve big constellations.
- Starship progress is especially critical for Starlink growth and NASA lunar logistics.
A Busy Year For Lunar Landers
- 2026 may be pivotal for lunar activity with multiple commercial and national landers scheduled.
- Missions range from small (Nova C) to multi-ton landers (Blue Origin Mark I) and include Chang'e 7 at the lunar south pole.