Projects: Space Information
The Planetary Report
Volume XXV, Number 6, November/December 2005
Credit: The Planetary Society, NASA, Cornell University, and Maas Digital |
On the Cover
In 1980, Bruce Murray, Carl Sagan, and Louis Friedman formed
The Planetary Society. This collection of photos represents some of
the many facets of our history, of the future we hope for, and of the
mission we strive for—to explore other worlds and to seek other
life.
From The Editor
Twenty-five years ago, if you’d told
me that in 2005 I’d be working at the
same place, doing the same job, I would
have said, “No way!” and dismissed you
as a maniac or, at least, seriously delusional.
So, after a quarter century, here
I am, still working at The Planetary Society,
introducing this twenty-fifth anniversary
issue of The Planetary Report.
“Why?” people often ask me, aghast
that anyone could have stayed in one job
so long. There are many ways I answer,
some more smart-alecky than others, but
all the reasons distill down to one: The
Planetary Society does things. We took
as our motto, “We make it happen,” and
every day, the staff, directors, advisers,
and—most important—our members
work to fulfill the organization’s mission:
to explore other worlds and seek other
life.
With honesty, perseverance, creativity, and just plain guts, the people of
The Planetary Society work to change the world so that our robotic surrogates
will explore the ocean that roils beneath Europa’s icy crust. We will
see human explorers leave footprints in the sands of Mars, and we will probe
other star systems seeking to know if we truly are alone in this universe.
Very few jobs offer that kind of challenge and satisfaction. I’ll keep
this one for a little while longer.
— Charlene M. Anderson
Features
Only the Beginning: The First 25 Years of The Planetary Society
The Planetary Society has a mission like that of no other organization:
creating
ways for the public to have active roles in space exploration. We develop
innovative
technologies, like the first solar sail spacecraft; we fund astronomers
hunting
for hazardous asteroids and planets orbiting other stars; we support radio
and optical
searches for extraterrestrial life; and we influence decision makers, ensuring
the future of space exploration. Here we look back at our history, both
to feel
good about our accomplishments and to ready ourselves for the next 25 years.
Our
Next Age of Exploration
We at The Planetary Society believe that our next
age of exploration
will be a vital and adventurous time, with our members involved in making
great
discoveries and acquiring new knowledge about our solar system and beyond.
As
we look toward our future, we are committed to continue leading by example—through
private ventures, public-private partnerships, and space advocacy—to
find more ways for the public to participate directly in humanity’s
evolution into
a multiplanet species.
Bill Nye Looks at Our Past and Our Future
Planetary Society Vice President
Bill Nye has had a long and deep
connection to the vision and mission of our organization. Here, Bill shares
his
personal story of how he got involved with the Society and expresses his
dreams of where we are headed.
Departments
Members’ Dialogue
We Make It Happen!
World Watch
Society News
Questions and Answers
The Planetary Report is available only to Members of The Planetary Society. If you'd like to read these and other exciting features, JOIN THE PLANETARY SOCIETY TODAY!
MEMBERS: Download this and other back issues of The Planetary Report in PDF format from the For Members section of the website.
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