Articles

Stories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.

What sci-fi dreams are made of

From a space station cemetery to a super-resilient spacecraft, the feats of human ingenuity that make space exploration possible are the stuff of science fiction dreams.

New year, same universe

While missions are achieving new things, the cosmos reminds us that some things are universal.

Onward to 2022

Looking back at an amazing year in space, here on Earth and beyond.

Space is always worth the wait

With space missions like JWST and Voyager, decades of development yield decades of discovery.

Let’s not forget the other Mars explorers

This week we take a look at some of the amazing Mars exploration being conducted, and celebrate the highlights of space in 2021.

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.

Mind-blowing space volcanoes

Taking a look at volcanic worlds in our solar system and exoplanets that might crack under pressure.

It’s all about you

Looking at where you came from, and seeking your opinions.

Rocky worlds rock

This week we're all about the rocky planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars.

Supereruptions and psychedelia

The surface of Mars can teach us about its history and, with the right imaging techniques, conjure flashbacks of 60s psychedelia.

The best seat in the solar system

Look at some extraordinary views from space and imagine what you’d see if you had the best seat on SpaceX’s Dragon capsule.

Looking forward to looking into deep space

The newest issue of The Planetary Report takes a look at the James Webb Space Telescope and what it will teach us about the cosmos.

For every world, there is a season

When we explore space we see familiar things: seasons, ice caps, and maybe someday even plants.

Dunes and doppelgangers

What can we learn from patterns in the Martian sands? And what’s that Earth-like planet over there?

Proximity and distance

Looking at planets and moons from near and far, and figuring out how to get all the way out there.

Seeing Ourselves in Space

When we look at our planet, look for life, or direct a rover to look at itself, we see ourselves in new ways.

Why NASA pays SpaceX and Boeing to fly astronauts to the International Space Station

Commercial crew is a partnership between NASA and private industry to ferry astronauts to and from the International Space Station and create a new market for humans in space.