<p>This article reviews the short-, medium-, and long-term prospects for characterizing rocky exoplanets, a central goal of contemporary astrophysics. The primary objectives are to determine whether these planets host atmospheres; if so, to constrain their molecular composition and search for potential biosignatures; if not, to infer their surface composition and thereby enabling a form of exo-geology. In the near term, the <i>James Webb Space Telescope</i> (<i>JWST</i>) will continue to lead this effort through photometric and spectroscopic observations of transits, eclipses, and phase curves, primarily targeting rocky exoplanets orbiting M dwarfs, including a limited number within their habitable zones. By the early 2030s, Giant Segmented-Mirror Telescopes (GSMTs) will provide the combination of high angular resolution, high contrast, and high spectral resolution needed to characterize rocky exoplanets around nearby M dwarfs via direct imaging, significantly broadening the accessible target sample and enabling detailed atmospheric and surface studies. Extending these investigations to rocky exoplanets orbiting solar-type stars, particularly those within habitable zones, will require the launch of next-generation space observatories in the 2040s, such as the <i>Habitable Worlds Observatory</i> (<i>HWO</i>), optimized for ultraviolet-to-near-infrared observations, and the <i>Large Interferometer For Exoplanets</i> (<i>LIFE</i>), designed for mid-infrared interferometry. In parallel, characterizing the broader planetary environment&#xa0;— including host stars and additional companions&#xa0;— will provide essential context. Missions such as <i>Gaia</i> (astrometric detection of companions), <i>PLATO</i>, <i>Earth 2.0</i> (stellar characterization via asteroseismology), and <i>Ariel</i> (population-level atmospheric studies) will offer critical complementary insights into the architectures and habitability of nearby planetary systems.</p>