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Stories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
Capturing the Rhythm of Space: Insights from 47th DPS Meeting
The Division of Planetary Science (DPS) Meeting saw many exciting scientific discussions spanning the range of processes on different planetary bodies, as well as their replication in the laboratory and in models.
Curiosity update, sols 1166-1217: First reconnaissance of Bagnold dunes
In the six weeks since my last detailed Curiosity update, the rover has driven to, on, and around a couple of active barchan sand dunes on Mars. They are now searching for a site to scoop and sample sand on the western edge of Namib dune.
It's your data: Curating NASA's science treasures
One of the great things about NASA is that all the data returned from all of the missions all over the solar system belong to you, the public. NASA shares all these data, and more, through the Planetary Data System, the Minor Planet Center, the Astromaterials Office, and the Astrogeology Science Center.
A Lander for NASA’s Europa Mission
While there’s at least eight years until it launches, this has been a pivotal year for developing NASA’s Europa mission.
Recovered Falcon Booster in Good Shape, Ready for Testing
The used rocket booster SpaceX flown back to Cape Canaveral for an upright landing is undamaged and ready to be test fired, said company CEO Elon Musk.
Dawn Journal: Science on Ceres
The Dawn mission is developing humankind’s most intimate portrait ever of a dwarf planet. Mission Director and Chief Engineer Marc Rayman returns with his monthly update on the mission's progress.
Planetary Exploration Timelines: A Look Ahead to 2016
How many planetary exploration missions are there, and where are they? These days, it's hard to keep track, because there are so many. I plan to begin the new year by taking stock of active missions, figuring out what each has set out to do and accomplished so far, but first I want to step back to consider the spread of missions across the solar system as a whole.
Preview: 2016 aboard the International Space Station
A look ahead to see what's in store for the astronauts and cosmonauts aboard humanity's orbital outpost.
Two epic photos of Earth -- but which one is truer?
Two images of Earth taken from different spacecraft at the same time illustrate differences in
ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter and Schiaparelli lander travel safely to Baikonur
Europe's second mission to Mars has begun its journey from its birthplace in Cannes to its planned arrival at Mars on October 19. Since December 17 we've been able to watch every step of its journey via Twitter.
Pretty Pictures of the Cosmos: Distant Galaxies
Astrophotographer Adam Block shares stunning his images of far-away spiral galaxies.
InSight's Problems: Possible Impacts
Van Kane details the potential repercussions of the launch delay of InSight Mars lander on the rest of NASA's Discovery mission program.
NASA's Next Mars Mission Delayed for Two Years
A problem with the French space agency's seismometer instrument will delay NASA's InSight Mars lander by two years.
December solstice: Viewing Earth's seasonal shifts from space
It's fun to watch the seasons shift from space, and as of this year we have new ways to do that.
For the first time ever, a Curiosity Mastcam self-portrait from Mars
In a remarkable and wholly unexpected gift to Curiosity fans, the rover has just taken the first-ever color Mastcam self-portrait from Mars.
Pluto updates from AGU and DPS: Pretty pictures from a confusing world
Pluto is reluctant to give up its secrets. Last week at the American Geophysical Union meeting I attended sessions featuring results from the New Horizons mission, and most of the presentations could be summed up thusly: the data sets are terrific, but there are still a lot of Pluto features that have scientists scratching their heads.
Spacewalkers Unstick Cart ahead of Cargo Ship Arrival
NASA astronauts Scott Kelly and Tim Kopra successfully completed a spacewalk to free a stuck Mobile Transporter cart outside the International Space Station.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Returns to Flight, Sticks Landing at Cape Canaveral
SpaceX returned its Falcon 9 rocket to flight with flair tonight, successfully deploying 11 communications satellites after returning the rocket's first stage to Cape Canaveral for an upright landing.
[Updated] An Extraordinary Budget for NASA in 2016
Congress's plan to fund the U.S. government in 2016 includes a stellar $1.3 billion increase for NASA over last year, nearly $730 million above the President's request.
Curiosity stories from AGU: The fortuitous find of a puzzling mineral on Mars, and a gap in Gale's history
Yesterday at the American Geophysical Union meeting, the Curiosity science team announced the discovery of a mineral never before found on Mars. The finding was the result of a fortuitous series of events, but as long as Curiosity's instruments continue to function well, it's the kind of discovery that Curiosity should now be able to repeat.