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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
Upgraded LightSail Software Completes First Round of Flight Testing
LightSail has completed its first round of flight testing. The spacecraft is now armed with new software that will transmit almost three times as much health and status data back to Earth than it did during last year's test flight.
NASA Could Choose Mars Human Landing Site during next Presidential Administration
The place NASA intends to the land the first humans on Mars could be selected during the next presidential administration, according to the agency’s planetary science division director, Jim Green.
Planetary Deep Drill Successfully Chews through Field Test
Late last year, a small team from Honeybee Robotics went to a gypsum quarry to test Planetary Deep Drill, a technology prototype designed to chew tens—and eventually, hundreds—of meters beneath icy planetary surfaces.
SpaceX Successfully Launches Ocean Satellite but Breaks a Leg on Drone Ship
The Jason-3 ocean monitoring satellite reached orbit today, but SpaceX's third attempt to land the first stage of its Falcon 9 rocket on a drone ship came up short.
NASA Adds Dream Chaser Spacecraft to ISS Cargo Roster
NASA is adding a miniature space shuttle to its fleet of commercial spacecraft capable of ferrying cargo to the International Space Station.
Two Astronauts to Make Friday Trek to Edge of Space Station
This Friday, astronauts Tim Kopra and Tim Peake will perform a spacewalk to replace a failed power regulator on one of the outermost sections of the International Space Station.
SpaceX Set for Sunday Sea Satellite Launch, Booster Recovery Attempt
SpaceX is set to launch a sea level-monitoring satellite from the California coast this Sunday, while attempting to land the rocket's spent first stage on a floating drone ship in the Pacific Ocean.
New Budget Bolsters NASA's Journey to Mars Plans
The recently passed omnibus spending bill directs NASA to work on a new upper stage for the Space Launch System, and begin development on deep space habitat modules.
Recovered Falcon Booster in Good Shape, Ready for Testing
The used rocket booster SpaceX flown back to Cape Canaveral for an upright landing is undamaged and ready to be test fired, said company CEO Elon Musk.
Preview: 2016 aboard the International Space Station
A look ahead to see what's in store for the astronauts and cosmonauts aboard humanity's orbital outpost.
Spacewalkers Unstick Cart ahead of Cargo Ship Arrival
NASA astronauts Scott Kelly and Tim Kopra successfully completed a spacewalk to free a stuck Mobile Transporter cart outside the International Space Station.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Returns to Flight, Sticks Landing at Cape Canaveral
SpaceX returned its Falcon 9 rocket to flight with flair tonight, successfully deploying 11 communications satellites after returning the rocket's first stage to Cape Canaveral for an upright landing.
Rail-riding ISS Cart Jams, Prompting Contingency Spacewalk Plans
A rail-riding cart weighing nearly a metric ton jammed while moving along the International Space Station's exterior yesterday, prompting ground controllers in Houston to prepare for an unscheduled spacewalk.
LightSail Program Wraps Busy Year with Test Readiness Review
On Monday, LightSail engineers and mission managers met at The Planetary Society's Pasadena, California headquarters to prepare for a rigorous suite of spacecraft tests that are expected to begin in January.
New Crew Arrives at ISS following Docking Drama
Following a picture-perfect launch and some last minute docking drama, Tim Kopra, Tim Peake and Yuri Malenchenko arrived safely to the International Space Station today.
Expedition 45 Crew Makes Nighttime Landing in Kazakhstan
Three International Space Station crewmembers are safely back on Earth following a post-sunset Soyuz touchdown in Kazakhstan.
Cygnus Arrives at Station, Marking Restart of U.S. Cargo Flights
A Cygnus cargo spacecraft arrived at the International Space Station this morning, carrying more than three metric tons of critical crew supplies.
SpaceX, Partners Prepare for Falcon Return-to-Flight
SpaceX is preparing to return its Falcon rocket to service after the loss of a mission in June 2015. A backlog of payloads, including an ISS-bound Dragon cargo craft, await.
After Weather Cooperates, Atlas Rocket Launches Cygnus Cargo Craft to ISS
It took four tries for the weather to cooperate, but on Sunday afternoon, a Cygnus cargo spacecraft loaded with 3.3 metric tons of critical crew supplies launched toward the International Space Station.
Bad Weather Fizzles Cygnus Launch Attempt (Again)
A second launch attempt of a Cygnus cargo spacecraft bound for the ISS was scrubbed this evening, forcing ground controllers to schedule a third try Saturday at at 5:10 p.m. EST (22:10 UTC).