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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
NASA Greenlights Dragonfly, a Quadcopter Mission to Titan
Sporting 8 rotors and a nuclear power source like the Mars Curiosity rover, Dragonfly will launch in 2026 and arrive at Titan in 2034.
LightSail 2 Has Launched!
The Planetary Society's solar sail CubeSat lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, Florida on 25 June at 02:30 EDT (06:30 UTC).
LightSail 2 is Ready for Launch
The Planetary Society's solar sailing spacecraft is ready to take flight. We got an up-close look at its ride to orbit.
Here's Our First Look at LightSail 2 Installed on SpaceX's Falcon Heavy Rocket
LightSail 2 is one of 24 spacecraft hitching a ride to orbit as part of the U.S. Air Force's STP-2 mission.
What to Expect when LightSail 2 Launches into Space
Our preview guide outlines the LightSail 2 mission from start to finish.
What's the Difference between LightSail 1 and LightSail 2?
While LightSail 1 and 2 look nearly identical at a glance, there are a few important hardware differences between the two spacecraft.
Hayabusa2 drops second target marker, targets artificial crater for sample collection
The reflective softball-sized sphere will give the spacecraft a visual guide during a second potential sample collection.
LightSail 2 Arrives in Florida
Next Stop: Space!
Hayabusa2 Encounters Snag Trying to Drop Second Target Marker
The spacecraft is healthy and safe, but time is running out to collect a second sample from asteroid Ryugu.
Here's a Roundup of Recent OSIRIS-REx Postcards from Bennu
NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is currently sweeping arcs between the asteroid's north and south poles.
LightSail 2 set to launch next month aboard SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket
The Planetary Society's solar sail spacecraft will lift off 22 June 2019 on a mission to demonstrate the power of sunlight for propulsion.
LightSail 2 Integrated with Prox-1 Carrier Spacecraft
The Planetary Society's solar sailing CubeSat is officially on the road to launch.
Here’s an Update on Hayabusa2’s Crater-Creating Explosion
Hayabusa2's SCI experiment fell toward Ryugu for 40 minutes before detonating about 300 meters above the surface.
Chandrayaan-2 Launch Delayed until July
India's combination lunar orbiter, lander, and rover spacecraft was previously scheduled to lift off in May.
How Your Donations are Helping Planetary Society Asteroid Hunters
Each year, we ask our Shoemaker NEO Grant winners to help us tell the world about their work. Here's what they said.
Crew Dragon Test Vehicle Suffers Mishap during Engine Testing
The extent of the accident is unclear, but a plume of orange smoke was visible from miles away.
Software Command to Fix Faulty Sensor Doomed Beresheet
Six days after SpaceIL's Beresheet spacecraft crash-landed on the Moon, we now have an explanation for what went wrong.
SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy Flies Again; LightSail 2 Is Next!
SpaceX also went three-for-three on booster landings, marking another milestone for its Falcon Heavy rocket.
Beresheet Comes Close before Crashing on the Moon
Mission controllers announced Beresheet had a problem with its main engine, and the spacecraft stopped transmitting shortly thereafter.
Beresheet is about to Land on the Moon
A successful landing will make SpaceIL the first private organization, and Israel the fourth country, to soft-land on the Moon.