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Stories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
The Deep Impact Mission is officially over
Efforts to regain contact with Deep Impact have been ended. The last contact with the spacecraft was on August 8, 2013.
Book Review: Rock Star: Adventures of a Meteorite Man, by Geoff Notkin
Rock Star -- the memoir of television
ICE is returning to Earth; but do we have the will to regain control?
After a journey of more than 30 years, ICE is coming back to Earth next year. But do we know how to regain control of it, and can we find the means to do so?
Working Together - Scientists & Historians, Professionals & Amateurs
From October 6 to 11, two divisions of the American Astronomical Society - Planetary Science and History - are meeting together for a combined annual conference. There will be several opportunities for the public to participate: a free public talk, several webcast lectures, a special online event for the Juno flyby of Earth, and a pro-am workshop on how amateur astronomers can contribute to planetary science.
Field Report From Mars: Sol 3431 - September 18, 2013
On sol 3425 Opportunity
Antares and Cygnus blast off to International Space Station
Orbital Sciences Corporation's Antares rocket lifted off from the Virginia coast this morning, successfully carrying the first operational Cygnus resupply spacecraft into orbit.
Mission Leader Bruce Jakosky's MAVEN Prepares for Mars
Pay attention! This Mars orbiter, headed for launch in November, is a terrific science mission, as Mat Kaplan learned in a recent workshop, and in this week's Planetary Radio.
Cygnus ready to spread its wings, fly to ISS
Orbital Sciences Corporation's Cygnus spacecraft will launch to the International Space Station Wednesday atop an Antares rocket.
Riding Along With Mars Express
Take a spin around the Red Planet with the trusty orbiter.
Two new ways to browse Vesta: 2. Vesta Image data browser
A few weeks ago I received an email pointing me to a really cool new map-based browser to Dawn's Vesta image data.
Two new ways to browse Vesta: 1. Vesta Low-Altitude Mapping Orbit (LAMO) Atlas
Last week was the European Planetary Science Congress in London, and there's been a lot of science news. One thing that caught my eye Friday was the publication of a new atlas for Vesta.
The Energy Department is Full of Hugely Wasteful Spending, But Can't Afford to Make Plutonium for NASA
A recent report shows that major programs within the Department of Energy are billions of dollars over budget due to lax oversight, yet the congressional committees responsible for the Department
LADEE checkout phase successfully completed!
Some good news to start your weekend: the newest member of our deep-space fleet, LADEE, has successfully completed its checkout phase and is now officially in its cruise phase. It is still in Earth orbit, headed for Lunar Orbit Insertion on Sunday, October 6.
Taking a close look at MAVEN assembly and testing videos
I noticed something funny while examining MAVEN assembly and testing videos.
A Division of Planetary Science
When scientists can't agree on priorities, will politicians listen? A reflection on a recent public policy session from the European Planetary Science Congress in London.
Our Debt to NASA - Fighting the Pernicious Myth of NASA as Unnecessary
A recent article in the NY Times Sunday Magazine highlights how the pernicious myth of NASA as wasteful spending perpetuates through our culture.
Mars' valley networks tell us of a dry, then wet, then dry Mars
Was there rainfall on Mars? Recent work mapping valley networks suggests there probably was -- but only for about 200 million years. What does this mean for life, and the Curiosity mission?
Still no contact with Deep Impact
Oh, that dreaded phrase,
Expedition 36 crew returns to Earth
NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and cosmonauts Pavel Vinogradov and Alexander Misurkin returned to Earth following a five-and-a-half month stay aboard the International Space Station.
Go LADEE!
Listen to or watch the recording of our live celebration for LADEE as the spacecraft blasted off for the moon.



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