Two Full Moons in May
May 2026 will be a very special month for stargazers with two full moons. The first full moon arrives on May 1st. Traditionally, people call this the Flower Moon. Then, the second full moon, which scientists call a Blue Moon, happens on May 31st. This moon will be a “Micromoon” because it is far from Earth. This rare double full moon event is definitely worth watching.
The Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower
Stargazers have another exciting event to watch. The Eta Aquariid meteor shower peaks on May 6. Halley’s Comet left behind this famous trail of space dust. Although a bright moon might hide some meteors, you can still see many. The brightest shooting stars will easily shine through. To catch this dazzling sight, look at the sky during the pre-dawn hours.
The Historic Haven-1 Space Station
May 2026 is also huge for private spaceflight. A company named Vast plans to make history. They are launching the Haven-1 space station and a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will carry it into orbit. If successful, this will be the first standalone commercial space station ever. It would be a massive step forward for private space travel.
Europe’s SMILE Mission Launch
Another major launch is happening on May 19. Europe and China are launching the SMILE mission together. SMILE stands for Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer. A Vega-C rocket will take the spacecraft into orbit. Afterward, it will study how solar winds affect Earth’s magnetic shield. This vital data will help protect our satellites.
SpaceX Prepares for Starship
SpaceX is keeping very busy this month. They plan to launch a new cargo mission to the ISS. Along with this, the massive Starship rocket might fly again. Presently, SpaceX is targeting May for Starship Flight 12. Of course, exact launch dates can always change. However, excitement is already building at the Starbase in Texas.
