Explore Worlds
Find Life
Defend Earth
All
All
Sun
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
Why NASA does space science and not the private sector
With all the advances in private space exploration, why do taxpayers still pay for space science missions?
Mars may host oceans’ worth of water deep underground
The tentative discovery hints at an habitat where life could potentially thrive.
Seeing the unseeable
From X-ray imaging to slithering beneath Enceladus’ crust, space technology is always expanding what we can see for ourselves.
How EELS could change the future of robotic exploration
The snake-like robot is being designed to autonomously navigate the challenging terrain of Saturn’s moon Enceladus, including descending into fissures in the moon’s icy crust. The skills it needs in order to explore this distant, unfamiliar world may make EELS well equipped to explore even more alien worlds, perhaps including exoplanets.
Eureka? Scientists’ first hints of life on other planets may not be so obvious
Knowing that you've found signs of life beyond Earth may not be as clear-cut and simple as one might think.
A big find on Mars
A big rover makes a big find on Mars. Little rovers have their place in exploration, too.
NASA discovers Mars rock with ancient potential for life
A single 3.5 billion-year-old rock shows signs of all the conditions life needs to thrive.
U.S. Senate advances their FY 2025 budget proposal for NASA amid deep cuts
An analysis of the U.S. Senate's FY 2025 budget request for NASA.
Does Jupiter protect Earth from asteroids and comets?
Jupiter has often been thought to protect the inner Solar System from asteroids and comets, but new research has shown that the giant planet may actually increase the risk of an impact.
Serendipity, a super-Jupiter, and saving VIPER
This was a big week in space, from Curiosity stumbling upon sulfur crystals to an exoplanet discovery and a major advocacy effort.
Why does Jupiter spin so fast?
The gas giant is the Solar System's largest planet. Here's why it's also the fastest-spinning planet.
For parts: Lunar rover, never used
NASA has canceled VIPER, a rover designed to seek out water ice and other resources in the lunar south pole.
A planetary smash-up
A comet collided with Jupiter 30 years ago, and the resulting images still inspire awe and wonder today.
How soon will Starship fly?
One rocket could decide how soon humanity returns to the Moon — and maybe one day sets foot on Mars.
To the Moon, Mars, and beyond with the 2024 NASA Authorization
If passed, it would be the first standalone NASA authorization since 2017.
Rockets rock!
Rockets are an integral part of spaceflight, and this week they get the attention and admiration they deserve.
Challenges facing the human exploration of Mars
From the dangers of radiation to the complications of landing a crewed spacecraft, there are myriad technical challenges facing human exploration of Mars.
The House's 2025 NASA Budget Creates Problems for Science, Artemis
The House would provide a 1% increase to NASA while shifting funding toward larger programs, leaving significant budgetary holes in smaller programs.
Getting a good look at what’s out there
From taking hundreds of thousands of photos of Mars to scanning the skies for asteroids, humanity is keeping an eye on our cosmic neighborhood.
Charting the course for discovery
On June 28, 2024, The Planetary Society hosted a policy briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., with the goal of educating congressional aides and advisors on the fundamental elements that drive NASA’s success in space science and the challenges facing the enterprise of scientific discovery.