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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
The LightSail mission: From concept to reality
How a grassroots movement sailed on sunlight.
The Planetary Society’s role in real space missions
Since 1980, The Planetary Society has been active in over 20 space exploration missions, from leading public outreach efforts to funding the development of instruments.
Your impact: June solstice 2024
Growing space salads and advocating for exploration
The future of solar sailing
An exciting future for solar sailing is on the horizon.
Harnessing the power of the crowd
The Planetary Society has a long history of helping the public make progress in space exploration.
I spy with my technologically enhanced eye
Seeing more with infrared cameras, radar telescopes, and good old-fashioned artistic instincts.
Here are some of our favorite LightSail 2 pictures
LightSail 2 captured numerous images to help the mission team monitor the sail and showcase the beauty of solar sailing.
Worthy goals for a lifelong love of space
Our new list of Space Life Goals will help inspire your passion for space. Catch up on this week’s space news, and tick off a few goals while you’re at it.
Launching and descending
Artemis I is on its way to the Moon, Planetary Academy is here to inspire your kids, and LightSail 2 has come down.
LightSail 2 completes mission with atmospheric reentry
The three-and-a-half-year solar sailing mission showed LightSail 2 could change its orbit with sunlight alone.
LightSail 2 is about to burn up
After 3.5 years, 18,000 orbits of the Earth, and 8 million kilometers (5 million miles) traveled, The Planetary Society’s successful LightSail 2 solar sail spacecraft will burn up as it reenters the Earth’s atmosphere in the next few days.
Best space pictures of the month: October 2022
Stunning views of Europa and the Eagle Nebula headline our roundup of space images released last month.
Sights beyond the visible
See images your eyes wouldn’t normally be able to see, and learn about what these images can teach you.
LightSail 2 getting lower as it completes third year in space
An update on The Planetary Society's LightSail 2 mission, which launched in 2015.
The value of knowledge
Space exploration comes at a cost, but the investment is always worthwhile.
Optimism, ethics and pride
The values that have driven space exploration since its beginnings are still going strong today.
Craters are great but we’ve had enough, thank you
Take a look at some of Earth’s epic impact craters, and learn what we’re doing to ensure they’re our last.
LightSail 2 sails into Smithsonian
The prestigious Washington, D.C. institution will display two models of LightSail 2, which is continuing to demonstrate flight by light in Earth orbit.
The LightSail 2 latest: mission updates, pictures and more
Almost 30 months after liftoff, the mission continues to help prepare for the next generation of solar sail missions.
Mind-blowing space volcanoes
Taking a look at volcanic worlds in our solar system and exoplanets that might crack under pressure.