2026 is unquestionably a volatile and highly turbulent period to be living on planet Earth. From geopolitical unease escalating at an alarming rate to the constant concern over climate change and its consequences, it is fair to say that all of us face serious challenges on a daily basis.

But it’s not all doom and gloom, as mankind’s efforts to decipher and understand the mysteries of our universe are moving forward in spite of the times of uncertainty we live in.

Arguably the biggest question, or at least the most common one, that we pursue to answer through space exploration is whether we are truly alone in this vast, expanding universe.

From a statistical perspective, with scientists believing that many of the innumerable stars in the universe are being orbited by a planet, it seems almost impossible that Earth would be the only planet to allow for the development of intelligent life. 

Through the use of the Pandora spacecraft, astronomers aim to recognize the chemical structure of exoplanets, specifically looking for biological ingredients like water, carbon dioxide, and more.

Despite the magnitude of this upcoming project, you may find yourself wondering ‘what is Artemis II?’ 

Artemis II is a 4-person crew that are about to etch their names into the history books by embarking on an impressive journey aboard the Orion spacecraft. During their 10-day expedition the crew of Artemis II will not land on the moon, or even orbit, instead their aim will be to travel to its far side and let lunar gravity redirect them home. After successfully completing this journey, they will officially become the four people to have gone the farthest away from Earth, marking a significant milestone on mankind’s journey in space.

Naturally, international relationships, rivalries, and agreements (or lack thereof) influence every aspect of our lives, and space exploration is no exception. After all, to national leaders, discovering outer space is not a matter of progressing and gaining a better understanding of the world and ourselves, but rather another struggle for resources and prominence.

As such, global superpowers like the US and China have both been funding numerous lunar projects, based on potential breakthroughs around energy consumption issues.

Both countries aim to have completed the construction of reactors that would support the existence of lunar colonies by 2035 at the latest, signifying a historic moment for mankind in the near future. 

Besides the aforementioned power struggles, the looming threat of excessive resource consumption by our modern way of life is a constant reminder of the necessity of such expeditions.

Humankind has always been extremely resilient and resourceful, proven by our lengthy history of evolution throughout the centuries. However, just as resilient is our inherent instinct to compete for survival, even when there is no need to do so.

From the birth of civilization humans have been locked in a continuous maelstrom of conflict and adversity, often at the expense of co-existence and peaceful progress.

The pessimistic among us would see no reason why this should change simply because the struggle relocated outside the confines of our planet.

While it is easy to fall into despair and a cynical way of thinking, the vast expanse of outer space and the limitless possibilities that come with uncovering its secrets, is a worthy cause to follow into a better and more peaceful tomorrow for mankind.