Articles

Andrew Jones

China is in the early stages of planning a huge space observatory to help answer the matter of whether we are alone in the galaxy.

The Planetary Society

Growing space salads and advocating for exploration

Jason Davis

A total solar eclipse and the launch of Europa Clipper are on our list of cosmic events to get excited about this year.

The Downlink

The Moon casts shadows on itself and on Earth, environmental concerns overshadow a test launch’s success, and exoplanets are awesome (beyond a shadow of a doubt).

The Downlink

Curiosity captures crepuscular rays on Mars, a new member community launches, and solar sailing takes exploration into the future.

Jason Davis

An exciting future for solar sailing is on the horizon.

The Downlink

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

Jatan Mehta

The array of space-simulating test facilities a spacecraft tours through before it can blast off of Earth.

The Downlink

Taking a look at volcanic worlds in our solar system and exoplanets that might crack under pressure.

The Downlink

Looking at planets and moons from near and far, and figuring out how to get all the way out there.

Casey Dreier

Spacecraft need power to reach the dark, dusty, distant locales of our solar system. Safe, non-weapons-grade plutonium-238 provides that power when solar energy can't cut it.

The Downlink

Take a look at distant worlds, far-out views of the cosmos, and even some remote possibilities with this week’s scoop on space news and solar system history.

The Downlink

Learn about The Planetary Society’s vision for the next decade of exploration and get up to speed on space news.

Richard Chute

LightSail 2’s launch window opens on June 22, and we are finalizing plans for our launch viewing celebrations. Once we have finished coordinating the details with the Air Force’s STP-2 mission team and the Kennedy Space Center, we will share them with all of our members and backers so that you can join us in person or remotely via the internet.

Jason Davis

The next time its solar sail is deployed, NEA Scout will be out near the Moon.

Anatoly Zak

A Canadian Space Agency proposal would install a solar sail on the outside of the Deep Space Gateway, a miniature space station in lunar orbit.

Casey Dreier

We provide you the gritty budget breakdown by program and mission for NASA's Planetary Science Division.

Jason Davis

When SLS launches Orion to the moon in 2018, a fleet of deep space CubeSats will come along for the ride, including a solar sailing spacecraft similar to LightSail.

Casey Dreier

The House Appropriations Committee released their vision for NASA's 2016 budget this week, which includes significant increases for the SLS and Planetary Science, but cuts Commercial Crew and Earth Science funds.

Tim Tinsley

With the shortage of plutonium-238 to power space missions, Europe has decided to focus on an accessible alternative material that could power future spacecraft: americium-241.