By Dr. Robert Zubrin, UnHerd, 02.10.26 Earlier this week, Elon Musk posted online that his company SpaceX has “shifted focus to building a self-growing city on the Moon”, and that his work on Mars would be a longer-term project. For years, reaching Mars had been a plan for the South African multi-billionaire. Having advocated for the advanced colonisation of the planet since at least 2001, Musk had long stated a goal to settle humans there. SpaceX has consistently been involved in plans… READ MORE >
News & Announcements
February 8th, 2026
Aerospace Engineer Braves the Arctic to Support the Next Chapter of Space Exploration
By The Aerospace Corporation, January 29, 2026 Space is an unforgiving, hostile environment — defined by vacuum, radiation and extreme temperatures — making human spaceflight an inherently challenging and high-risk endeavor where even small failures can have catastrophic consequences. To confront those realities before launch, researchers conduct astronaut analogs: simulated missions run in extreme Earth environments that mirror the operational and environmental challenges of other worlds. One such mission recently sent Aerospace engineering specialist Trevor Jahn to the [Flashline] Mars… READ MORE >
January 20th, 2026
Next on RPL: From Capitol Hill to the Cosmos: Protecting the Future of Space Science
The next episode of our 60-minute Red Planet Live podcast has been recorded and posted for broadcast TODAY (Tuesday, January 20th at 5:00 pm PST). In this wide-ranging conversation, host Ashton Zeth sits down with Casey Dreier, Chief of Space Policy at The Planetary Society, to explore why the search for life should be the guiding principle of U.S. space policy. The discussion dives into how space advocacy actually works in Washington, the political realities shaping NASA leadership and confirmation dynamics, and… READ MORE >
December 22nd, 2025
Mars Society Welcomes Honeybee Robotics as Sponsor for 2026 University Rover Challenge
The Mars Society is proud to welcome Honeybee Robotics as an official sponsor of the 2026 University Rover Challenge (URC)—a partnership that directly connects cutting-edge space robotics with the next generation of planetary engineers. As a long-time leader in developing robotic systems for extreme and mission-critical environments, Honeybee Robotics plays a vital role in advancing the technologies needed for planetary exploration. Their sponsorship of URC supports a global student competition organized by the Mars Society, where university teams design and… READ MORE >
December 12th, 2025
Holiday Gifts That Inspire — From Mars Store Finds to Student Memberships
This holiday season, give gifts that truly support space exploration and spark lifelong passion by supporting The Mars Society. One great option is shopping at The Mars Store—the official store of The Mars Society. You’ll find mission patches, space-themed apparel, books, collectibles, model rockets, and unique Mars-inspired artwork. Every purchase directly helps fund hands-on research like the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), student competitions, global outreach, and programs that advance human exploration and settlement of the Red Planet. It’s a… READ MORE >
December 10th, 2025
Would You Be Prepared to Handle a Year on Mars? [Blog]
By Lou Farrell, Red Planet Bound, 12.10.15 The dream of setting foot on Mars has never been closer. Thanks to advanced technologies and analog missions, serious plans for human missions are underway. These simulations push the boundaries of human endurance and adaptability, demanding incredible fitness and mental fortitude. Could you tackle these formidable challenges to survive a year on Mars? Exploring Mars Analog Missions Mars analog missions replicate critical aspects of living on the Red Planet to help future crews… READ MORE >
December 5th, 2025
Year-End Red Planet Live: Dr. Zubrin on NASA, Mars Plans & What’s Coming Next
Mark your calendars for a special end-of-year episode of Red Planet Live! On Tuesday, December 16th at 5:00 pm PT, Mars Society President & Founder Dr. Robert Zubrin will join our host, Ashton Zeth, for an in-depth conversation about the organization’s major accomplishments in 2025 and what’s on the horizon for 2026. He’ll discuss the Mars Society’s programs and initiatives, the national campaign urging Congress to safeguard NASA’s space science budget, and the current outlook for sending humans to Mars…. READ MORE >
December 4th, 2025
Launch a Young Explorer’s Journey this Holiday Season!
For just $25/year, you can enroll a child or teen as a Mars Society Student Member, giving them a meaningful connection to the global movement dedicated to advancing human exploration and settlement of the Red Planet. As the world’s largest and most influential Mars advocacy organization, the Mars Society leads educational programs, analog research missions, public outreach, international initiatives, and chapter development that inspire the next generation of explorers. It’s a unique gift that fuels curiosity, builds excitement, and invites… READ MORE >
