Space exploration prediction in the next 50 years

 

1. Humanity will reach to Mars physically. It should happen in 2030–2035. NASA will reach there first (may have collaboration-most probably with either ESA/ISRO/JAXA) and then CNSA.
   
   Within 2050, there will be 4–5 human mission to Mars- by NASA and others like CNSA (likely) and might also be ISRO/JAXA/ESU (each indigenously) but unlikely. Also it will depend on respective countries’ economy, government and many other factors.
   
   Rover missions will happen many times and one of the main purpose will be finding life on Mars. All 5–6 elite agencies and agencies like SpaceX will send probes or rovers there. Who knows, we will be able to find microbial life there! But it’s fantasy- not a serious prediction.
2. There will be few more human missions to Moon. As NASA will remain busy with Mars, human moon mission will be done by other agencies like CNSA, SpaceX, ISRO and ROSCOSMOS. Although SpaceX and ISRO have not yet mastered human spaceflight technology but it can be hoped that these two will master it in the next decade as this is in their active plan already. I think ISRO will learn human mission to Earth orbit around 2025 and SpaceX around 2022. Most probably CNSA will reach their first. China has started their program most probably and will send a man to moon around 2022. ROSCOSMOS will do it around 2025, SpaceX and ISRO will do it at around 2030–2032 i.e. at the same time NASA will be sending a man to Mars. Quite exciting, right?
   
   Within 2050, there will be few more manned mission to Moon (that will also include NASA and perhaps agencies like JAXA and ESA). But mining will be started on Moon within 2050 i.e. robotic missions will be much more frequent.
   
   We will see in 2050 a number of private companies and startups will be engaging in Moon mission- both for tourism business and mining. Govt. agencies like ISRO will also do the same as it has leaned towards business a bit.
3. There will be Europa missions (at least 2)- again by NASA but with collaboration (most probably with ESA). ESA has experience of long duration mission in deep space like Rosetta. One orbiter and one rover will be sent to Europa within 2050. ROSCOSMOS may also do some deep space missions.
4. There will be multiple asteroid missions. It will consist lander and sample return probes. All the elite agencies will do it as asteroids are considered important for mining. JAXA will do good here as they have Hayabusa mission experience. ISRO and CNSA will be the other two agencies who will be next in line.
5. New Horizons spacecraft will reach to Interstellar space after Voyagers and pioneer did it. There will be a few outer solar system robotic missions-by NASA and ESA most probably. CNSA, ISRO etc. may do Jupiter missions.
6. There will be two space stations (one of China and an ISS). There should be a Moon station in moon sky and also ground station/facility on Moon as Moon mission will be quite frequent (like today’s ISS missions) both for tourism and other research.
7. Elite agencies will frequently use re-usable launch vehicle or will be developing. It must happen. SpaceX (as well as NASA) will use a well-established Falcon family. ISRO will master its RLV. Others will also plan/be developing/master their re-usable systems or will use available ones commercially.
8. Space agencies like those of Iran, Israel, South Korea etc. will be quite progressed and will join with other agencies in big missions like those discussed above. Some other nations/agencies will also progress a lot and will become space-fairing.
9. As space missions and activity in space and in natural satellites and planets will increase a lot and will involve many countries and human physically, there will be some international treaty/policy/law to maintain peace and purity in space. 
10. There will be a large constellation of satellites including those of many countries that is presently lacking but being developed in good pace.
    
    There will also be a huge market of space business. It will include: satellite building and launch, data service, component building, space tourism and mining. The launch market is already active and ESA, SpaceX, ISRO etc. are doing good in it. There will be a strong competition in this business. Overall, the cost of space research will decrease dramatically so there will be a number of private firms and startups in this field. Overall, humanity will be one step ahead as a space-fairing species in next 35 years.