The public should have a say in space exploration.
We make that possible.
Our Approach
Space missions don't just happen.
The robotic craft that voyage beyond our solar system; the rovers that scour the sands of Mars, the spacecraft seeking signs of life beyond Earth—every mission is a choice made and remade over years, even decades, by elected officials who control funding and policies of national space programs.
The Planetary Society's Space Policy & Advocacy program works to ensure our societies keep making these choices.
To achieve this, we rely on our biggest strength: our global membership of space fans and advocates. We provide the training, tools, and opportunities to engage in the civic process.
But we don't stop there. We pair this with original policy research and a dedicated D.C.-based staff that works year-round to educate, advise, and elevate space policy issues.
“Meeting so many of our Representatives and Senators and all their staff members gave me an incredibly powerful vision of how The Planetary Society works with Congress to support NASA. I got to understand the role that we passionate, enthusiastic citizens play in ensuring the continuation and growth of NASA's amazing endeavors.”
–Philip K., Planetary Society member and Day of Action participant
Our Results
Led the Save NASA Science campaign that successfully rejected unprecedented cuts to NASA's space science programs.
Organized 20 partner organizations ranging from scientific societies to industry groups in support of space science.
Our advocates have sent more than 750,000 messages Congress and the White House in support of science and exploration.
Helped establish the first Planetary Science Caucus in the United States Congress.
Helped to secure billions of additional dollars for bold missions of exploration across the solar system
Established the Day of Action, the largest pro-space science advocacy event in Washington, D.C.
"We need to make sure that we have groups like The Planetary Society...Get your friends involved, grow the base of the community that is necessary to support space exploration and the science and the discovery that goes along with it. I cannot tell you how important it is."
—Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine
How You Can Help
There is always something you can do: whether it's writing to your political representatives, educating yourself about space policy and politics, or even sharing your love of space with your family and friends.
Take Action
Want to do something right now? If you live in the United States, our Action Center helps you reach out to Congress and the White House on relevant issues. If you'd like to up your advocacy game, consider joining us at the Day of Action—our annual event where Society members gather in Washington, D.C. to meet with congressional offices in-person. No experience necessary.
Educate Yourself
We provide training and unique data to help you be a better space advocate. You can also learn about The Planetary Society's positions and policy goals to see what we're doing on our members' behalf.
Stay Informed
Take it from us: keeping up with space politics is a full-time job. But we do the work for you, highlighting the most important, relevant, and consequential events so you can stay on top of the news.
Our monthly newsletter, The Space Advocate, provides a succinct summary of key events in space politics and policy the unique perspectives of Casey Dreier,The Planetary Society's Chief of Space Policy. The Space Policy Edition podcast is dedicated to the politics and policies of space exploration, and provides in-depth interviews and expert analyses from the people are shaping its future. We also maintain detailed tracking of NASA's annual budget as it moves through Congress, and publish regular analysis and commentary from our expert staff.
Latest Advocacy Articles
A Crash Program or Modest Proposal?
The White House released a long-awaited supplemental budget request for NASA today. It proposes an additional $1.6 billion for an accelerated human spaceflight effort to land on the Moon in 2024. This boosts the President's budget request for NASA to $22.6 billion in fiscal year 2020, which is approximately $1.1 billion or 5% more than the amount provided by Congress last year.
Hearing Recap: Keeping Our Sights on Mars
Highlights from the hearing, 'Keeping our Sights on Mars: A Review of NASA's Deep Space Plans' held on May 8th in the House of Representatives.
What Can We Learn from a Failed Return to the Moon?
Thirty years ago, President George H.W. Bush announced an ambitious program to return humans to the Moon. It failed. Today the Trump Administration wants the same thing. Can a failed lunar return effort help this one succeed?
Hearing Recap: NASA’s FY 2020 Budget Request
On March 27, 2019, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies held a hearing titled, “NASA’s FY 2020 Budget Request.”


