Articles

Stories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.

The Next 10 Years

Six scientists share the major planetary science discoveries of the past decade, and the questions that will drive the next 10 years of solar system exploration.

An Exoplanet-Hunting Space Telescope and a Name for a Rover

Meet NASA’s Rover McRoverface. Plus, we’re hiring!

Two Mars Missions Are Gutted Despite Near-Record Funding for Planetary Science

A new budget submission from the White House would continue record-high funding for planetary science, but proposes deep cuts to 2 productive Mars missions and defers funding for deep space telescope dedicated to finding hazardous near-Earth objects.

161 meetings. 115 members. 28 states. 1 Day of Action.

More than one hundred Planetary Society members from near and far advocated for space science and exploration in Washington, D.C. on 10 February 2020.

Star Trek: Picard Gets the Martian Landscape Right

The visual effects for the new television series Star Trek: Picard show a wonderfully realistic Mars in panoramic views that obviously rely upon NASA and ESA imagery. This article is spoiler-free except for the disclosure of an important event depicted in the opening moments of the show.

Is the Moon a Stepping Stone or a Cornerstone for Mars?

New legislation proposed in the House of Representatives would radically shift NASA's human spaceflight efforts away from the Moon and back to Mars.

Here's What We've Learned So Far from LightSail 2

A new paper recaps mission events, discusses solar sail performance, and describes how the spacecraft's orbit has changed.

Artist’s concept of a moon landing as part of NASA's Project Artemis

NASA Rings in the New Year with $22.6 billion

NASA's final 2020 budget rejected every major cut proposed by the Trump Administration, increased funding for popular congressional projects such as the Space Launch System, and underfunded several key administration proposals, including a human-qualified lunar lander and low-Earth orbit commercialization projects.

Announcing the 2019 Shoemaker NEO Grant Winners

Six proposals are awarded a total of $57,906. The winners come from 4 countries on 3 continents.

The Biggest Little Asteroid Observatory

The Center for Solar System Studies, a perennial Planetary Society Shoemaker NEO Grant winner, is a small observatory that makes big contributions to near-Earth asteroid research.

The Most Important Space Policy Events of the 2010s

The end of the Space Shuttle, the rise of public-private partnerships, and the return to the Moon. As the 2010s come to a close, what were the most impactful events that shaped U.S. space policy?

What Comes Next on Mars?

Javier Gómez-Elvira anticipates the next phase of the search for life on the Red Planet.

Members Gather at the LightSail 2 Launch

Your Impact: December Solstice 2019

Bill Nye revels in 4 decades of bringing space to everyone, and we celebrate our global membership.

Emily Lakdawalla, Editor of The Planetary Report

The December Solstice 2019 Issue of The Planetary Report Is Out!

Featuring an article by Abigail Fraeman on what the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity taught us, and one by Javier Gómez-Elvira on the next steps in the search for life on Mars.

A New Understanding

Abigail Fraeman examines how the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, changed our view of Mars.

Creating A Movement for Space

A look back at The Planetary Society's founding documents and the origins of the organization.

This Holiday Season, Avoid the Politics and Talk Space Instead

When coming together this holiday season, ditch the politics. Instead, here are 5 conversation topics about space that can inspire and engage everyone.