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All
Stories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
Up Is the New Up
The European Space Agency will enjoy a 6.5% increase in funding this year, reports SpaceNews.
Advocacy Update: The Society Traveled to Washington
The Planetary Society makes another visit to Capitol Hill to advocate for Planetary Science funding at NASA.
Planetary Society Hangout: Jan 10th, 2013 - AAS Coverage with Astronomer Meg Schwamb
Join Casey Dreier and Emily Lakdawalla as they are joined by Dr. Meg Schwamb from Yale University. They will discuss the latest announcements from the American Astronomical Society 2013 conference and Dr. Schwamb's research in outer solar system bodies.
New Details on the 2020 Mars Rover
The 2020 Rover will achieve its cost-savings by using $200 million of existing hardware left over from the Curiosity mission, said the Director of the Planetary Science division within NASA.
The Astronomy Budget Squeeze
It's not just the Planetary Sciences division within NASA that's under harsh budgetary times. The NSF Division of Astronomical Sciences is facing a choice between funding scientists and funding telescopes. A report from the 221st AAS meeting in Long Beach.
Tiptoeing Towards the Edge
NASA's Planetary Science Division looks to lose about $100 million in addition to the deep cuts already proposed for 2013.
Where We Stand: The year in advocacy and what's ahead for 2013
We've had a very busy year defending funding for NASA's Planetary Science division.
The 2020 Rover in Context
The 2020 rover announced today is entirely consistent with NASA's reduced commitment to planetary exploration due to its 2013 budget.
One Year Ago
MSL Curiosity left the Earth one year ago today. This is my experience of the launch.
What We're Fighting For
We're fighting for the restoration of NASA's planetary sciences budget to return to its 2012 level. What does that get us? New financial analysis from our sources in the scientific community provides us a glimpse.
NASA's New Direction For Mars (Maybe)
The future of the Mars Exploration Program exists as multiple mission plans straining to exist in the brutal new cost cap from the FY13 budget, pushed far into the future.
The OMB Didn't See This Coming
In ten days, our members and supporters sent over 17,000 emails to staff members who create and influence NASA's planetary science budget. The public support is there. We're making difference but not letting up.
Sequestration and Planetary Science
The sequestration is coming on January 2nd, 2013. If Congress does nothing to prevent it, NASA's planetary science division stands to lose an additional $97 million to the already-proposed cut of $309 million for 2013.
What if the Senate had a hearing on Mars and no one came?
Today there was a Senate hearing on the future of Mars exploration, title
A Bittersweet Day for Planetary Exploration
A new Mars mission was announced today, which is cause for celebration. But two other exciting missions where not selected, why? Money, or lack thereof. All we need is a little bit more, and we could be exploring the solar system, not just Mars.
Astronomy Is Cheap, Too
There was upsetting news today, as the National Science Foundation's Division of Astronomical Sciences released a report that recommended divesting from several highly successful radio telescopes. The money in question, as usual, amounts to almost nothing. The effects, however, are massive.
Curiosity and the Media: A Response
Wherein I address a particular comment on my previous post calling me out for a lazy attack on
Curiosity Comes Cheap - Why the latest Mars rover (and all planetary exploration) is a steal
Along with any NASA mission comes the inevitable repetition of its cost and questions of its worth, Curiosity is no exception. This tired media narrative must end. The real question is not,
Planetfest 2012 Was a Huge Success
Planetfest 2012 ended in the best possible way: the Curiosity rover touched down safely on the surface of Mars. In our ballroom, almost two thousand people leapt to their feet and provided thunderous applause to accompany the joyous celebration at mission control.