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Stories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
Missions to a Star
Upcoming deep space missions will venture right to the heart of the Solar System.
Bringing Orion Home: How the U.S. Navy will pluck our future astronauts from the sea
When our future astronauts splash down into the Pacific Ocean aboard an Orion capsule, Mike Generale, NASA, and the U.S. Navy will be waiting for them.
Curiosity Update, sols 534-540: Over Dingo Gap, onto softer sand
After more than two months of very slow driving due to concern about the wheels and time spent choosing whether to enter
The Two Faces of Phoebe
Cassini flew past Phoebe on June 11, 2004, on its way to entering Saturn orbit. The flyby was almost perfect but overexposure of some images have prevented color mosaics from being produced. Even though Phoebe's body is gray and dull in color, the absence of color images always provoked me. By using VIMS data, I have now produced color mosaics.
Possible hope for Yutu: "Situation is getting better," but no details [UPDATED]
A terse Xinhua news report posted today says there may be some sign of life from Yutu, now that the Sun has risen on the third lunar day since Chang'e 3 landed. It is frustratingly non-specific. UPDATE: Amateur radio operators have detected a radio signal from the rover.
What is NASA for?
Planetary scientist Craig Hardgrove takes a look at what NASA really does for humanity.
All's well in cruise phase for Mars-bound spacecraft MAVEN and Mars Orbiter Mission
A hundred days after launch, India's Mars Orbiter Mission is doing just fine, and so is NASA's MAVEN.
Behind-the-scenes story of Yutu: Promoting space exploration in China
Promoting the story of Yutu to the Chinese public through social media: a successful case of science outreach.
New Hills, Old Secrets
Exploring a set of newly named hills on Mars reveals tantalizing clues to the planet's story.
Discovery Next
To paraphrase Forrest Gump, the Discovery program is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to get. The creativity of the scientific community has given us a wide assortment of missions in the past and is likely to surprise and delight us again.
ICE/ISEE-3 to return to an Earth no longer capable of speaking to it
It's with great sadness that I report that the Goddard Space Flight Center team has determined that we will not be able to regain control of the venerable spacecraft ICE/ISEE-3 when it passes by Earth this year, after a 30-year journey around the Sun.
Mars Exploration Rovers Update: Opportunity Finds Mystery Rock, Mission Celebrates 10 Years
In the storied history of the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) mission, January 2014 will likely be remembered as one of the most memorable months of all.
Slate's Misleading Hit Piece on the Future of NASA
A response to Slate's recent piece on the future of NASA, correcting many of its myths and misconceptions about how NASA works.
The Mars Exploration Family Portrait is expanding, and I need your help
The Mars Exploration Family Portrait is expanding to cover the entire solar system! But before we proceed, I'm asking for feedback.
Cosmos with Cosmos Episode 12: Encyclopedia Galactica
Cosmos returns in fine form in its penultimate episode. Sagan explores the historical and scientific precedents for the search for extraterrestrial life (SETI) and our human desires to not be alone in the universe.
Looking Backward: Curiosity gazes upon the setting Earth
A few days ago, Curiosity looked westward after sunset and photographed Earth setting toward the mountainous rim of Gale crater.
Naming asteroids in honor of Nelson Mandela
In which I ask the Internet to tell me about people who deserve to have an asteroid named for them because of their work to promote racial equality, human rights, and social justice.
ExoMars baby pictures: Spacecraft core module delivered to assembly site
The European Space Agency announced yesterday a significant milestone in the development of the next Mars mission: the core module of the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter has been delivered.
Curiosity update, sols 521-533: Assessing Dingo Gap
While continuing to perform regular wheel health assessments, Curiosity took a sharp right turn and headed for Dingo Gap. On sol 533, they performed a
An extended mission for LADEE
The LADEE team has managed their fuel frugally enough to permit a one-month mission extension; they now plan to impact the Moon on or around April 21, 2014.