In 2025, NASA reported steady progress across its human spaceflight, science and aeronautics programs, as the agency advanced preparations for its next phase of lunar exploration and longer-term ambitions beyond the Moon.
The agency confirmed that work toward the Artemis II mission remains on track, with the test flight expected early next year. Artemis II will be the first crewed mission to travel around the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972 and represents a major milestone in NASA’s effort to return astronauts to deep space. The mission is a precursor to future landings on the lunar surface and is intended to validate spacecraft systems and operations for sustained human exploration.
Alongside human spaceflight, NASA and its partners completed two robotic science landings on the Moon during the year, supporting technology demonstrations and scientific investigations relevant to future crewed missions. The agency also expanded international participation in the Artemis Accords, with 59 countries now signed on to the framework that outlines principles for safe, transparent and responsible exploration of the Moon and beyond.
NASA continued to advance research supporting long-duration missions, including medical and operational technologies such as compact X-ray systems and enhanced navigation capabilities designed for use far from Earth. These developments are aimed at improving crew health, autonomy and safety during extended missions in deep space.
In Earth and planetary science, NASA launched a joint satellite mission with India to improve monitoring of Earth’s land and ice-covered regions, strengthening long-term climate and environmental observation capabilities. The agency also identified and tracked what it described as the third known interstellar object to pass through the solar system, adding to growing scientific understanding of material originating beyond it.
2025 also marked 25 consecutive years of continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station, which remains a central platform for microgravity research and international cooperation. In aeronautics, NASA conducted the first test flight of its X-59 experimental aircraft, a key step in research aimed at enabling quieter supersonic flight and informing future commercial aviation standards.
From a leadership perspective, NASA is operating under interim arrangements as confirmation processes continue. Sean Duffy, appointed by President Donald Trump, is serving as acting administrator while the Senate considers the nomination of Jared Isaacman to lead the agency. Isaacman’s confirmation hearing took place in early December, and his nomination advanced out of committee with bipartisan support. Additional senior nominations, including Matt Anderson for deputy administrator and Greg Autry for chief financial officer, remain pending. Amit Kshatriya has been appointed associate administrator, the agency’s most senior civil servant role.
Together, the developments reflect a year focused on sustaining momentum across exploration, science and technology programs, while laying groundwork for future lunar missions and longer-term human exploration objectives.
IMage: Artemis II NASA astronauts (left to right) Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen stand in the white room on the crew access arm of the mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B as part of an integrated ground systems test at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sept. 20, 2023.
Credit: NASA/Frank Michaux
