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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
Interview with an SLS Engineer: How Booster Test May Help Drive Golden Spike for Interplanetary Railroad
With NASA and Orbital ATK preparing for an important test tomorrow in Utah, an SLS engineer describes the inner workings of the vehicle's new solid rocket boosters.
A First Time for Everything: Blitzing Congress for Space
There is a first time for everything. Riding a bike, stargazing, and yes, even lobbying Congress. Jack Kiraly describes his first Legislative Blitz with Michael Briganti and Casey Dreier on Capitol Hill last week.
Space Advocates Descend on Capitol Hill
The Space Exploration Alliance wrapped up its most recent 'legislative blitz' last week. Nearly 70 individuals participated in the democratic process, speaking to nearly 168 difference offices in Congress. Nearly half of those individuals were Planetary Society members.
Understanding why our most Earth-like neighbor, Venus, is so different
Van Kane introduces us to EnVision—a proposed European mission to help improve our understanding of Venus.
Highlights from our reddit Space Policy AMA
The space policy and advocacy team at The Planetary Society held an AMA (ask me anything) on reddit, here are some of the highlights.
Why We Write to Congress
It's time to write to Congress in support of planetary exploration. Why? Because it works.
Planetary CubeSats Begin to Come of Age
Van Kane rounds up some recent planetary mission concepts based on CubeSat technology.
Europe's Experimental Spaceplane Completes Successful Test Flight
The IXV spaceplane, designed to demonstrate reentry technologies, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean this morning after a successful, 100-minute test flight.
Two Days, Two Launches and Three Landings
Within a two-day span, two rocket launches and three ocean landings are scheduled—one of which involves an autonomous spaceport drone ship.
FOIA Request Sheds Light on NASA Mission Extension Process
A FOIA request offers insight into NASA's planetary science extended mission review process, which seems, at best, confusing, and at worst—with adjectival ratings like “Very Good/Good”—arbitrary.
2016 Budget: Great Policy Document and Much Better Budget Plan
Van Kane gives a summary of the 53-page proposed Fiscal Year 2016 NASA Planetary Science budget.
NASA Budget Lists Timelines, Costs and Risks for First SLS Flight
NASA will set the Space Launch System's inaugural flight date at the end of this year, according to the agency's 2016 budget request, which was released on Monday.
It's Official: We're On the Way to Europa
NASA's 2016 budget request increases the space agency's budget by $519 million, starts a new mission to Europa, increases funds to Commercial Crew, and threatens some long-running planetary missions.
How NASA's Yearly Budget Request Comes Together
It takes a year to make, and is the starting point for all coming debate by Congress. It's the President's Budget Request, and understanding how it comes together is an important part of being an effective space advocate.
Commercial Crew Rivalries: Fun to Watch, Everybody Wins
Now that Boeing and SpaceX have won the high-profile privilege of carrying astronauts to the ISS, they must start making public appearances as reluctant equals.
The President's 2016 Budget Is Coming
The 2016 budget cycle for NASA kicks off on Feb 2nd, when the White House releases the President's Budget Request. Here's what to look for.
Watch the Incredible 'Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly' of SpaceX's Falcon 9 Rocket
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has released four images of the company's Falcon 9 rocket impacting its drone ship landing pad in the Atlantic Ocean.
Reconstructing What Happened at Sea, as Dragon Arrives at Station
Following a routine two-day voyage, SpaceX's Dragon capsule pulled in to port at the International Space Station. Meanwhile, tweets from CEO Elon Musk give clues on what happened at sea.
NASA Completes First Test Firing of SLS Core Stage Engine (Updated)
NASA completed a 500-second test firing of the RS-25 engine, which will power the core stage of the Space Launch System.
Here's How Planetary Science Will Spend Its $1.44 Billion in 2015
The story of NASA's 2015 budget ended on December 16th, when President Barack Obama signed the massive omnibus spending bill into law. NASA's increased budget is locked in, as is the increase to Planetary Science. Here's how Planetary spends its additional money.