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Bill Nye
Chief Ambassador and Vice Chairman, The Planetary Society
+1-626-793-5100
Bill Nye is The Planetary Society’s Chief Ambassador. He also served as CEO from 2010 to 2026, providing vision and guidance, leading key organizational decision making, and serving as the public face of The Society.
Along with serving as Chief Ambassador of the world’s largest independent space interest group, Nye is also an internationally renowned and award-winning science educator, television presenter, mechanical engineer, science advocate, and author. He is best known as the host of the PBS children’s science show Bill Nye the Science Guy, and for his many subsequent appearances in popular media as a science educator and advocate.
Nye joined The Planetary Society as a charter member when the organization was founded in 1980 and deepened his involvement over time. He joined the Board of Directors in 2005, taking on the role of President of the Board, and was elected to the position of CEO in 2010 serving until 2026. In 2026 he became Chief Ambassador and Vice Chairman of the Board.
After earning a degree in mechanical engineering at Cornell University, Nye spent more than 20 years working as an engineer for the Boeing Corporation, Sundstrand Data Control (now Honeywell), and other engineering firms in the Seattle area. Drawing on his strengths in science and comedy, Nye went on to create, write, produce, and host the Emmy award-winning television show Bill Nye the Science Guy between 1993 and 1998. He continued his work in television with The Eyes of Nye in 2005 and Bill Nye Saves The World in 2017 and 2018. A documentary film about his life’s work, Bill Nye: Science Guy, was released in 2017 to critical acclaim.
Nye has authored several books, including the New York Times Bestseller Undeniable, Unstoppable, and Everything All at Once. In addition to his many other activities, he travels the world and appears on television on a regular basis, sharing his views on the importance of science and space exploration, and inspiring people of all ages to change the world for the better.
Latest video
A new way to travel space - with Bill Nye Did you know there's a way for spacecraft to travel farther, faster, and maybe one day reach other stars? Bill Nye is here to teach you about the game-changing technology called solar sailing.
Latest Articles
Longtime Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye is handing over leadership of the organization to take on a new role as Chief Ambassador.
Our lifetime love of space exploration can start when we are very young. And so, we have developed The Planetary Academy, a 100% space-related membership created for kids 9 years old and younger.
Bill Nye's reflections on the first deep field image from NASA's JWST mission.
Latest Planetary Radio Appearances
A new chapter begins at The Planetary Society as Jennifer Vaughn becomes CEO and Bill Nye steps into his new role as chief ambassador.
Hundreds of advocates joined The Planetary Society and partner organizations in Washington, D.C., to urge Congress to protect NASA’s science budget. Hear from Ari Koeppel, Britney Schmidt, Bill Nye, Rep. Glenn Ivey, Marcel Agüeros, Brandon Jones, and Casey Dreier about this historic Day of Action.
Bill Nye, CEO of The Planetary Society, celebrates his new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and joins us to reflect on its meaning. We also receive the latest space policy updates as NASA faces significant budget challenges.