We’re excited to announce that the Mars Society’s Red Planet Live podcast, hosted by Ashton Zeth, will feature an in‑depth conversation with Dr. Tracy C. Dyson on Tuesday, April 15th (5:30 pm CT / 3:30 pm PT). Dr. Dyson is a veteran NASA astronaut and scientist whose career is as distinguished as it is inspiring. With over 1,000 hours in space across multiple missions and a Ph.D. in chemistry, she has been at the forefront of scientific research on the… READ MORE >
News & Announcements
April 1st, 2025
R.Zubrin Op-Ed: The Flaws in Musk’s Mars Mission
By Dr. Robert Zubrin, UnHerd, 04.01.25 In his speech to Congress last month, President Donald Trump promised to “lead humanity into space and plant the American flag on the planet Mars and even far beyond”. His claim is not serious, as Trump is far too busy wrecking the global liberal order to achieve such a splendid feat. And even if he weren’t, there’s no way we can reach Mars in the next four years. Nevertheless, it is possible that the… READ MORE >
March 28th, 2025
2025 Mars Society Convention: Dr. Vandi Verma on Space Robotics & Autonomous Exploration
The Mars Society is very pleased to announce that Dr. Vandi Verma, a trailblazer in space robotics and autonomous systems from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will deliver a plenary address at the 28th Annual International Mars Society Convention. This exciting event will take place at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles from October 9–11, 2025 and promises to be a highlight for those passionate about advancing Mars exploration. Dr. Verma brings a wealth of experience from her groundbreaking… READ MORE >
March 25th, 2025
From Sol to Sol: The Crew Montes Journey
By Rodrigo Nascente Schmitt, Crew 306, Mars Desert Research Station “Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.” Radiation, freezing cold, suffocation, starvation—on Mars, being prepared is no longer an option. It’s necessary. During our twelve-day mission at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), Crew Montes faced a planet that seemed determined to kill us. Nevertheless, we discovered that even a single Martian sunrise can make all the hardships worthwhile. Our crew—Commander Jesus (whom we affectionately call Messiah), Geologist Elizabeth… READ MORE >
March 24th, 2025
Exploring Space Innovation: Dr. Luther “Luke” Beegle Joins RPL Podcast
Red Planet Live is excited to welcome Dr. Luther “Luke” Beegle — a veteran NASA scientist and current executive at Northrop Grumman — for a 60‑minute live broadcast on Tuesday, April 1 at 5:00 pm PT with host Ashton Zeth. At Northrop Grumman, a global leader in aerospace, defense, and space technology, Dr. Beegle directs advanced programs in robotics, autonomous systems, and in‑situ instrumentation for NASA missions, Department of Defense initiatives, and commercial space ventures. Over his 25‑year career at NASA,… READ MORE >
March 22nd, 2025
Mars Desert Research Station Films Projected on Manhattan Bridge – April 2-27
Visual artist Juan José Cielo is thrilled to share that two of his video works—filmed during his tenure as artist‑in‑residence with Crew 181 at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS)—will be projected onto the Brooklyn side of the Manhattan Bridge this spring. Running April 2 through April 27 (Wednesdays through Sundays, dusk to 11 PM), this large‑scale public exhibition invites New Yorkers to encounter Cielo’s Martian vision against the city skyline. Cielo’s short film Runway (2017) transforms the Utah desert… READ MORE >
March 21st, 2025
Mars Society Launches Global Campaign to Support Mars Desert Research Station
HANKSVILLE, Utah – March 21, 2025 – The Mars Society announced today the launch of a landmark global fundraising campaign to bolster the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), a critical hub for training future Mars explorers and advancing research for life on the Red Planet. Located in the Utah desert, MDRS serves as a premier analog facility where simulated Mars missions and cutting-edge STEM education converge to prepare humanity for its interplanetary future. The campaign aims to raise $250,000 to… READ MORE >
March 20th, 2025
Final Round of URC 2025 Ready to Roll!
Awesome news! 38 students from 11 countries have advanced to the final round of the Mars Society’s 2025 University Rover Challenge! Student teams have built their next-generation Mars rovers before the final round and will now showcase their robotics expertise at the MDRS – Mars Desert Research Station campus in southern Utah May 28-31. These innovative rovers are designed to one day assist human explorers on the Red Planet. URC was launched in 2006, with competitions being held every summer… READ MORE >
