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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
A STEP Grant update: Growing our understanding of deep-space agriculture
The 2023 round of The Planetary Society’s Science and Technology Empowered by the Public (STEP) Grants awarded $50,000 USD to a team led by Dr. Andrew Palmer of the Florida Institute of Technology to study deep-space agriculture to address the challenge of feeding astronauts on long-duration missions.
A test bed in the search for life
Updates from a Planetary Society STEP Grant-funded project.
Are we alone in the universe? AI may help us find out
A Planetary Society-funded project uses machine learning to search for intelligent alien life.
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: December solstice 2024
Searching for ET and encouraging young minds.
New insights into asteroid properties: A STEP Grant update
A Planetary Society-funded project to understand asteroids achieved its main goals and scientific objectives this year.
Your impact: June solstice 2024
Growing space salads and advocating for exploration
Speedy spacecraft and pretty pics
Take a look at some of our favorite recent space images and learn about an express mission to Mars.
Would you like some salty water with your space salad?
Two new grant-winning projects, a collection of awesome space imagery, a mighty plume, and much more this week in space.
Space salads and salty waters
The two winning proposals in the 2023 round of STEP grants are a project that will compare different methods of growing edible plants in simulated deep-space exploration conditions, and a project that will study salty lakes on Earth that share characteristics with the past and present oceans of other planets and moons.
Never let a rock sneak up on you
Finding asteroids before they hit Earth not only protects us from harm, it can also yield beautiful photos.
Weaving together a picture of the Cosmos
When we combine data sources, collaborate with each other, and invite artistic perspectives, we can better understand the Universe we live in.
First steps and big leaps
Technological innovation is a big part of the fun of space exploration, and you can help make it happen.
Request for Proposals for the 2022 Science and Technology Empowered by the Public (STEP) Grants
We are excited to announce a new Request for Proposals (RFP) for our Science and Technology Empowered by the Public (STEP) Grants.
Beyond the far side
Explore the two-faced Moon and meet two new projects paving the way for the future of space science.
Announcing the First-Ever STEP Grant Winners: Citizen Science SETI and Determining Asteroid Properties
The new STEP Grants program is designed to regularly compete a significant portion of The Planetary Society’s science and technology portfolio.
A Super Blood Moon Is Nicer Than It Sounds
Find out what a super blood Moon is, and celebrate a milestone in Mars exploration.
Seeking Small Worlds
A spacecraft leaves one asteroid as planetary defense experts turn to others.
Saving the World One Asteroid at a Time
Don’t leave it up to cosmic fate; take action right now to defend our planet from dangerous impacts.