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Stories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
When Space Science Becomes a Political Liability
John Culberson, an 8-term Texas Republican and staunch supporter the search for life on Europa, lost his re-election bid last week. His support for Europa was attacked by opponents and could send a chilling political message about the consequences of supporting space science and exploration.
What the 2018 midterms mean for NASA and planetary science
The 2018 midterms swept away a number of NASA advocates in Congress, though looming budgetary battles may end up having more direct impacts on space than any one elected official.
A Joyless 'First Man'
Space fans will enjoy the movie for its depictions of early spaceflight itself. But it avoids the richness and complexity of human experience, leaving behind awe and joy in favor of an emotional landscape as uninviting as the Moon.
The NASA programs most impacted by the budget delay
Fiscal year 2019 is here, but NASA doesn't have a new budget. Which programs could suffer the most as a consequence?
Why Start A Space Program?
Casey Dreier observes the genesis of a new space agency in Australia, and how The Planetary Society helped make it happen.
Space Force: An Explainer
Have questions about Space Force? We have answers.
National Academies: NASA needs a plan for Mars
Though progress is being made on Mars Sample Return, a new report from the National Academies recommends NASA have a long-term plan for robotic Mars exploration, and work to ensure communications infrastructure is maintained at the Red Planet. These recommendations largely align with those made by The Planetary Society in a report released in 2017.
Space Policy & Advocacy Program Quarterly Report - July 2018
The Planetary Society's Space Policy and Advocacy team publishes quarterly reports on their activities, actions, priorities, and goals in service of their efforts to promote space science and exploration in Washington, D.C.
It's midterm evaluation time for NASA's planetary program
A new report assesses how NASA’s Planetary Science Division has implemented (or not) the top recommendations of the scientific community for the exploration of the solar system.
NASA's 2019 Budget Takes Shape
The Senate and House have now released details of how they would fund NASA in 2019. Check out the good, bad, and ugly in these proposals and learn what happens next.
NASA is beloved; the Moon, not so much
A new poll shows broad support for space exploration in the United States. But sending astronauts to the Moon ranks as the lowest priority among the public.
An 'Exploration Exhibition' to launch the new Planetary Science Caucus
We helped launch the new Planetary Science Congressional Caucus in Washington, D.C., with an exploration exhibition to highlight the range of academic, scientific, and industry partners engaging in planetary exploration. Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye and its Board of Directors were there to welcome members of Congress and hundreds of staff and policy experts.
Space Policy & Advocacy Program Quarterly Report - April 2018
The Planetary Society's Space Policy and Advocacy team publishes quarterly reports on their activities, actions, priorities, and goals in service of their efforts to promote space science and exploration in Washington, D.C.
Introducing Space Advocacy 101
Space Advocacy 101 is a new online course to help space fans become empowered space advocates.
JWST heads once more unto the breach, dear friends
The James Webb Space Telescope will miss its target launch date and cost more money than expected, NASA announced.
NASA wins big in 2018 budget deal
With the passage of the 2018 spending bill, NASA just got its best budget since 2009. Europa, Earth Science, and a new Mobile Launcher are winners in the $20.7 billion just approved for the space program.
An Interplanetary Mateship: The Planetary Society Continues our Australian Initiative
Thanks to recent investments by our members in The Planetary Society’s Space Policy & Advocacy program, we now have the resources to institute a strategic effort to support the exploration of space in an international context.
How the Falcon Heavy could revolutionize exploration of the ocean worlds
SpaceX's Falcon Heavy is not just for big payloads, it can also throw light things into space very fast. And that has significant implications for the exploration of distant destinations in our outer solar system—particularly the ocean moons of the giant planets.
Announcing the Planetary Science Congressional Caucus
I'm excited to share with you a major step forward for the support of space exploration in the U.S. Congress: the formation of a new caucus devoted to planetary science and exploration.
Bill Nye and the State of a Polarized Union
Last week, The Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye accepted an invitation by NASA Administrator nominee Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) to join him as his guest at the State of the Union address. We anticipated this would be a controversial decision, and we were right.