Articles

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

Breaking new ground

Whether it’s a mission, a policy decision, or an individual person, sometimes all it takes is one thing to change the way we explore.

Planetary accessorizing

Planets are beautiful and fascinating enough on their own, but there’s no denying that moons and rings add a little something special.

Defend your planet

With so many asteroids out there, it’s up to us to defend our planet from impacts. Find out how you can make a difference.

Persevering through it all

Exploration will always face setbacks, but this week’s Downlink reminds us of the impressive human ability to persevere.

A joint-letter in support of NEO Surveyor

The National Space Society and The Planetary Society jointly argue for funding the asteroid-hunting NEO Surveyor mission.

First steps and big leaps

Technological innovation is a big part of the fun of space exploration, and you can help make it happen.

Artist concept of the surface of TRAPPIST-1f

What might JWST reveal about TRAPPIST-1?

We spoke with the scientists leading the first observations of TRAPPIST-1 using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) in order to understand what mysteries their observations will help unlock.

The Space Advocate Newsletter, June 2022

NASA's proposal to slash funding for NEO Surveyor highlights the lessons unlearned after COVID.

A hazy shade of winter

A Martian explorer hunkers down for winter and a planet’s haze is explained.

It’s not easy being this far out

Distant robots run into problems, and distant worlds hold onto secrets — for now.

A little too close for comfort

From gas orbiting a supermassive black hole to asteroids orbiting near the Earth, sometimes the vastness of space can feel a bit tight.

Your cosmic community

There’s no limit to what a community of like-minded space enthusiasts, advocates and even famous luminaries can achieve when we all work together.

That’s so metal

Gear up for a mission to a metallic world and catch up on the latest in space news.

Earthlings off-planet

Celebrate 61 years of humans in space, and take a look at the latest news from our exploration of the cosmos.

When will we explore Enceladus to find alien life?

While NASA will launch Dragonfly later this decade to Titan, another potentially habitable moon of Saturn, no space agency is currently funding a mission to Enceladus.