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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic: their space tourism flights explained
Though Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin have similar overarching ambitions, there are some stark differences in their approaches to suborbital space tourism.
Why NASA pays SpaceX and Boeing to fly astronauts to the International Space Station
Commercial crew is a partnership between NASA and private industry to ferry astronauts to and from the International Space Station and create a new market for humans in space.
Your Impact: June Solstice 2021
Our annual Day of Action set up virtual meetings between 145 members and their congressional representatives and staffers.
Is it aliens? Three questions to evaluate UFO claims
It's important to consider explanations that don't involve large conspiracies or require our understanding of physics to be wrong.
The Space Shuttle Turns 40
The Planetary Society is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first Space Shuttle launch with exclusive resources, interviews, and personal stories.
Space Shuttle Astronaut Bob Crippen Describes Columbia's First Flight: "A Moment of Pure Excitement"
NASA astronaut Bob Crippen joins Mat Kaplan on Planetary Radio to look back at the Space Shuttle's first flight.
Your Impact: March Equinox 2021
Thanks to our members, we hosted Planetfest '21, advocated for space, and took a big STEP forward with our new sci-tech grants program.
Your Impact: December Solstice 2020
We're celebrating a congressional nod, PlanetVac's upcoming trip to the Moon and Mars, and more.
The Year 2020 in Pictures
These pictures helped us find hope and perseverance during a tough year on planet Earth.
Why do we need NASA when we have SpaceX?
Watching SpaceX's incredible feats, you might wonder whether we need NASA. But in reality the organizations do very different things and rely on each other for success.
A Planetary Society Retrospective
Look back at the remarkable achievements our members have made over the past 4 decades, alongside other space milestones and events.
Your Impact: September Equinox 2020
We’ve made some big changes to planetary.org, as we continue to advance advocacy, defend Earth, and chart the future of space exploration.
LightSail 2 Enters Extended Mission Phase
One year after launch, The Planetary Society’s solar sail spacecraft is embarking on an extended mission dedicated to further advancing solar sailing technology.
Pictures of Earth
During this singular moment in history as the entire world responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, we thought it would be appropriate to share some of our favorite pictures of Earth from space.
Your Impact: June 2020 Solstice
We're celebrating a successful Day of Action in Washington D.C., remembering SETI@home, and looking forward to LightSail 2's extended mission.
Your Guide to Crew Dragon's First Astronaut Flight
Take a look back at the exciting first crewed flight of NASA's Commercial Crew program.
Ten New Pictures from LightSail 2
Images from around the globe, plus some night pictures and the spacecraft's solar panels.
The Possible Worlds of Ann Druyan
The executive producer, writer, and director of Cosmos and author of the companion book discusses the show’s third season, and why she believes science is the key to a better future.
Your Impact: March Equinox 2020
Celebrating Shoemaker Grant winners, Society awards, and volunteer efforts around the world.
The Next 10 Years
Six scientists share the major planetary science discoveries of the past decade, and the questions that will drive the next 10 years of solar system exploration.