All
All
Stories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
Review: 'Discovery' is a bold, new addition to the Star Trek franchise
In a review of Star Trek: Discovery, Jason Davis says he expected Discovery to be a cross between Enterprise and the new reboot movies. Instead, the show turned out to be something else entirely.
NASA, international partners consider solar sail for Deep Space Gateway
A Canadian Space Agency proposal would install a solar sail on the outside of the Deep Space Gateway, a miniature space station in lunar orbit.
An honor from The Open University
Today in London, Emily Lakdawalla was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of the University by The Open University.
Field Report from Mars: Sol 4857
Opportunity is continuing its drive down Perseverance Valley, a possible channel that was cut in the inner wall of the 22 km-diameter Endeavour impact crater on ancient Mars.
Meet two astronaut candidates who can help NASA do science on other worlds
Two of NASA's new astronaut candidates are particularly suited to conduct scientific research on other worlds: Zena Cardman, a geobiologist, and Jessica Watkins, a geologist.
How did China decide where to land its upcoming Moon missions?
How were the Chang'e 5 and 4 landing sites chosen? Space exploration historian Phil Stooke explains.
In Appreciation of Kim Poor
We at The Planetary Society are saddened to hear about the recent passing of veteran space artist Kim Poor.
OSIRIS-REx Earth flyby: What to Expect
OSIRIS-REx launched on September 8, 2016. Now, a year later, it's returning to its home to get a second boost on to its destination, the asteroid Bennu. It'll test all its cameras on Earth and the Moon in the 10 days after the flyby.
Cassini: The dying of the light
Cassini is no more. At 10:31 according to its own clock, its thrusters could no longer hold its radio antenna pointed at Earth, and it turned away. A minute later, it vaporized in Saturn’s atmosphere. Its atoms are part of Saturn now.
Curiosity update, sols 1726-1813: Surveying Vera Rubin Ridge from below
Curiosity had a productive three months driving along the front of Vera Rubin Ridge, gathering photos and data with its arm instruments, finally driving up on to the ridge on sol 1809.
What to expect during Cassini's final hours
A timeline of what to expect from the great mission during its final hours.
And then there was one
The end of the Cassini mission is a harbinger for a looming gap in outer planets exploration missions.
Upward bound: Canada's Space Advisory Board provides its recommendations
Canada's Space Advisory Board has provided a clear set of recommendations to advance the country's space program, and The Planetary Society is proud to have played a role in the process.
Voyager 40th Anniversary: Summer of '79
Planetary scientist Paul Schenk shares his story of working on the Voyager missions as a JPL intern back in 1979.
Curiosity's balky drill: The problem and solutions
Since December 1, 2016, Curiosity has been unable to drill into rocks because of a serious problem with one of the drill's motors. Emily Lakdawalla thoroughly explains the issues and the path forward for Curiosity.
Planetary Society hosts space policy reception at Australian Embassy
This year’s International Astronautical Congress (IAC) is being held in Adelaide, Australia. Thanks to the generous support of our members, The Society’s advocacy and outreach capability is rapidly expanding, and we decided to step up our IAC advocacy this year.
Voyager 40th anniversary: Reflecting on the pale blue dot
Today is the 40th anniversary of the launch of Voyager 1. Four decades later, both spacecraft survive, still producing science, still working on their interstellar missions. On the occasion of the anniversary, we revisit Carl Sagan's reflections on the significance of the Voyager missions.
Book Update: The Design and Engineering of Curiosity
Emily Lakdawalla's first book is now available for pre-order.
Your guide to Jim Bridenstine, the new nominee for NASA administrator
The White House announced it will nominate Jim Bridenstine to become NASA's next administrator.
Mars Exploration Rovers Update: Opportunity Ventures Deeper into Perseverance
Along the western rim of Endeavour Crater, Opportunity forged onward in August vicariously taking the Mars Exploration Rovers team – along with a global contingent of mission observers all around Earth – downhill into Perseverance Valley and deeper into a new chapter in this legendary expedition of the Red Planet.



Sun
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Small Bodies