The Planetary Society, founded in 1980 by Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray, and Louis Friedman, is devoted to advancing space science and exploration through education and advocacy. The organization has created a vibrant online community at planetary.org, where space enthusiasts can connect, learn, and engage with a variety of content. The website features news and updates on the latest space missions, including NASA's Mars rovers and the Perseverance mission, as well as interviews with experts in the field. Educational resources, such as lesson plans and videos, are also available for teachers and students. The Planetary Society's advocacy efforts aim to increase public support for space exploration, and its members can get involved in campaigns to influence policymakers and advance the organization's mission.

spacenews.comThe Planetary Society's LightSail 2 spacecraft deployed a solar sail 32 square meters in size, generating enough thrust to raise the apogee of its orbit.

The inaugural grant winners were a team from University of California, Los Angeles for a SETI project and a team from University of Belgrade, Serbia, for a planetary defense project. [19]en.wikipedia.orgIn 2022, the Planetary Society awarded its first grants as part of its Science and Technology Empowered by the Public (STEP) program.

Over the next 5 years, we will magnify this dedication by focusing efforts and resources around these core enterprises. Increase discoveries about the worlds of our solar system and beyond. Let’s go!planetary.orgFor nearly 4 decades, The Planetary Society has been committed to advancing planetary exploration, planetary defense, and the search for life beyond Earth.