Planetary Society News
The latest stories from The Planetary Society, featuring humanity's quest to explore worlds, find life, and defend Earth.
Updated: 8 hours 24 min ago
Queqiao-2: China’s bridge for lunar exploration
China's Queqiao-2 spacecraft will relay communications to Earth to support lunar far side and south pole missions, including missions led by international partners.
Categories: Space News
The Planetary Society advocacy priorities in NASA’s final 2024 budget
Funding for the Near-Earth Object Surveyor, support for VERITAS, and a second lease on life for Mars Sample Return were all included in the final congressional budget for NASA in 2024.
Categories: Space News
How to find eclipse events in your area
There are hundreds of eclipse events being held all across North America. Here's how to find one near you.
Categories: Space News
Transits are cool, but…
A moon transiting the Sun is awesome, but still doesn’t quite compare to a total solar eclipse. Learn why, find out about Europa Clipper’s message in a bottle, and more.
Categories: Space News
Red Rover Goes to Mars, 20 years later
Twenty years ago, a Planetary Society program sent students to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to work on the Mars Exploration Rovers program.
Categories: Space News
NASA's FY 2025 Budget
The White House proposed $25.4 billion for NASA in 2025, a modest increase from the previous year, and far less than originally planned.
Categories: Space News
Seizing upon syzygy
How scientists use total solar eclipses as opportunities to do solar science.
Categories: Space News
Your impact: March equinox 2024
Announcing the first C. Wallace Hooser award for visionary philanthropy
Categories: Space News
An exquisite cosmic coincidence
Why eclipses on Earth are unlike anything else in the Solar System.
Categories: Space News
Science to satisfy curiosity
The Curiosity rover is climbing a mountain to gain knowledge. Bringing back Mars samples will gain us even more.
Categories: Space News
The science value of Mars Sample Return
The project has the potential to transform our understanding of the Solar System and provide evidence of life beyond Earth.
Categories: Space News
Lunar success stories
The Odysseus spacecraft marks the return of U.S. landers to the Moon. JAXA wants you to help name an asteroid. And we’re speaking up for your place in space.
Categories: Space News
The coolest new space pictures: February 2024
A U.S. mission lands on the Moon for the first time in decades, thanks to collaboration between NASA and commercial space.
Categories: Space News
A ridge over hidden water
Ridges on Mars and Europa hint at past and present water. Distant dwarf planets are unexpectedly warm. And we’re working hard to help find life.
Categories: Space News
Can SpaceX’s Starship save Mars Sample Return?
Though promising conceptually, Starship presents more questions than answers for NASA's Mars Sample Return needs.
Categories: Space News
OSIRIS-APEX, NASA's asteroid Apophis chaser
The NASA probe is on a mission to the potentially dangerous asteroid Apophis
Categories: Space News
How to host an eclipse party
Hosting a solar eclipse-watching party is a fantastic way to share one of nature’s most awe-inspiring events with your friends and family. Here’s a guide to hosting a safe and memorable eclipse-watching party.
Categories: Space News
Far from predictable
Some things, like solar cycles, are hard to predict. Others, like Zoozve taking the world by storm, are even more unpredictable.
Categories: Space News
The path forward for Mars Sample Return
A brief summary of The Planetary Society's policy principles and recommendations for Mars Sample Return.
Categories: Space News
Become an Eclipse Explorer!
In anticipation of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, The Planetary Society has partnered with the National Park Service to launch a new Eclipse Explorer Junior Ranger booklet.
Categories: Space News