All
All
Stories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
Remembering the Pluto Campaign: A Success Story
The New Horizons mission to Pluto survived many near-death encounters with cancellation during its development. The Planetary Society worked the whole time to ensure it would launch.
Congress Rejects NASA's First Operating Plan
NASA's plan to raid Planetary Science funding to pay for sequester cuts in other science programs was rejected by Congress earlier this month. NASA is now working on a new plan that has yet to be submitted for approval.
House Committee Approves Smallest NASA Budget Since 1986
This budget, if enacted, would be the smallest budget NASA has seen since the mid '80s, when adjusted for inflation.
Confirmed: NASA Defies the Will of Congress by Raiding Planetary Science Funding [updated]
Despite congressional rejection of massive cuts to Planetary Science this year, NASA has found a way to implement the cuts internally and use the money for other purposes.
Download This One-Page Summary on the Threat to Planetary Science
When we visit Congress, this is what we leave them with. This one page summarizes the entire threat to continued planetary exploration at NASA in the proposed 2014 budget.
Planetary Science Echoes Through the Halls of Congress
The Planetary Society just returned from a big trip to Washington, D.C. to advocate for continued planetary exploration. Here's what happened.
NASA Robs Planetary Science
NASA's leaked operating plan suggests that the agency is raiding money restored to the planetary program this year by Congress.
The White House Science Fair and an Earful for Bolden
I meet the future of science in the United States, and I speak directly to NASA Administrator Charles Bolden about my concerns for Planetary Science funding.
Further Analysis of NASA's 2014 Budget Proposal
Now that groups and individuals have had time to digest the proposed 2014 NASA Planetary Science budget, they are highlighting the impacts of the proposed cuts. We are also getting the first independent reactions to the proposal to bring an asteroid to lunar orbit as a target for human exploration.
Cutting NASA's Education and Public Outreach Efforts Now Is Short-sighted and Counterproductive
Lars Perkins, Chairman of NAC's Education Committee, writes a defense of NASA's Education and Outreach efforts, currently facing a major cut and restructuring in 2014.
House NASA Budget Hearing Live-blog
Live blog of comments and analysis from the House Science Committee's hearing on NASA's 2014 Budget.
Planetary Science Is Fading to Black, Claims New Op-Ed
A powerful new op-ed in SpaceNews traces the inevitable decline of NASA's Planetary Science missions if the current cuts to the program are implemented.
What We're Doing About NASA's Planetary Science Budget Cut
All cylinders are firing here in the Society as we rev up a big response for the White House's NASA budget that proposes another $200 million cut to Planetary Science.
Bad Budget News for NASA's Planetary Exploration Program
The Administration just released its proposed budget for 2014 and it contains some very bad news for NASA's planetary exploration program. Just three weeks ago the U.S. Congress rejected similar cuts proposed for planetary exploration last year. It was a clear statement of support by both Congress and the public: planetary exploration is an affordable national priority.
2014 NASA Budget Cuts $200 million from Planetary Science -- Again
NASA's new budget doubles down on cuts to Planetary Science, despite Congress rejecting a similar proposal last year.
First Analysis: the NASA Planetary Science Budget for 2014
No mission to Europa, diminished funding for outer planets missions, a small bump to small spacecraft missions, and an increase for asteroid detection are part of the White House's proposal for NASA in 2014.
Will the Sequester Take an Outsized Bite from Planetary Science at NASA?
Despite a $223 million boost from Congress this year, NASA's Planetary Science Division may not be allowed to use that money so NASA can prevent cuts in other programs.
A Major Political Victory for The Planetary Society
The Planetary Society just achieved a major victory in our efforts to ensure strong funding for NASA’s planetary exploration.
What's Going On with NASA Education and Public Outreach?
Sequestration claims its next victim at NASA, as all Education and Public Outreach activities are suspended until further review.
[Updated] Senate Bill Restores $223 million to NASA's Planetary Science Division
The President signed the Senate's bill to fund the government for the remainder of 2013, and it includes some positive news for NASA's Planetary Science division, which is facing a 21% cut.