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Press Room
Welcome to The Planetary Society's Press Room. Here you'll find the latest information about Society events, programs, leaders, and other news about the exploration of the universe.
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To join our media list, or for more information about our news, please contact Danielle Gunn at [email protected] or 626-793-5100.
Save NASA Science Press Conference On Monday, October 6, 2025, amid the government shutdown, leaders from 20 national science, education, and space organizations, led by The Planetary Society and its CEO Bill Nye, gathered with Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD-04) and invited Members of Congress at the U.S. Capitol to urge protection of NASA’s and the National Science Foundation’s science budgets. The White House’s proposed 47 percent cut to NASA’s science budget threatens an “extinction-level” event for space exploration.
Press Releases
Jun 08, 2015
Bill Nye, LightSail™ Team & Planetary Society to Host Solar Sail Spacecraft Press ConferenceAfter a successful launch into orbit, The Planetary Society’s LightSail™ spacecraft embarked on a solar sailing test mission as a precursor to a 2016 mission. Complete test mission success hinges on the deployment of LightSail’s Mylar® solar sails. LightSail experts will present sail deployment outcomes and offer a period for media questions.
Jun 07, 2015
Bill Nye & Planetary Society Celebrate LightSail™ Test Mission LandmarkLightSail's tiny solar sail deployment motor sprung to life Sunday afternoon, marking an important milestone for The Planetary Society’s nail-biting test mission.
May 30, 2015
Solar Sail Spacecraft Contact Restored After Software Glitch Paused CommunicationsAfter a successful launch into orbit aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket out of Cape Canaveral, The Planetary Society’s LightSail™ spacecraft went silent after two days of communications. The solar sailing spacecraft test mission, a precursor to a 2016 mission, has now resumed contact after a suspected software glitch affected communications.
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