Author: Michael Stoltz

Posts by Michael Stoltz

Exploring Mars & Beyond: ESA’s Dr. Orson Sutherland Joins 28th Int’l Mars Society Convention

The Mars Society is honored to announce that Dr. Orson Sutherland, Programme Manager for Mars Exploration and Acting Exploration Chief Scientist at the European Space Agency (ESA), will deliver a (virtual) plenary address during the 28th Annual International Mars Society Convention October 9-11, 2025 at the University of Southern California (Los Angeles). Dr. Sutherland will outline ESA’s current and future plans for exploring Mars and beyond, drawing from his extensive experience leading key programs such as the ExoMars mission and… READ MORE >

To Mars, We Strive: A Tribute to the Mars Society

In ninety-eight, a vision sparked,By Zubrin’s hand, the flame embarked.A call to reach the crimson sphere,To plant our dreams, to persevere. With “Mars Direct,” a daring plan,To send our kind, both woman and man.To live, to learn, to build anew,Beneath the sky of rusty hue. In deserts vast and Arctic’s chill,They train with grit, unwavering will.Simulations test the human core,Preparing for that distant shore. Through rovers’ race and VR’s glance,They give the youth a fighting chance.To touch the stars, to… READ MORE >

Fueling the Final Frontier: Innovation, Space Tech & Entrepreneurship with Dr. Oleg Demidov on RPL

Mark your calendars for Red Planet Live on Tuesday, May 6 at 5:30 pm PT—we’re sitting down with Dr. Oleg Demidov, a trailblazing space and tech entrepreneur, investor, and all-around innovation guru. With two successful startups under his belt, Dr. Demidov is the co-founder of Beyond Earth Ventures and COSolve, both focused on game-changing advances in space and climate tech. He also launched the First Space Tech Syndicate on AngelList to open up space investing to a broader audience. Oh,… READ MORE >

Students “Land” on Mars in Greece’s First-Ever Analog Simulation: DES@Mars 2024

In a groundbreaking educational experience last year, students across Greece stepped into the boots of astronauts during DES@Mars 2024, the country’s first interactive Mars Analog Simulation. Organized by DES School in collaboration with Mars Society Hellas—the official Greek chapter of The Mars Society—the program brought space exploration to life for elementary and high school students through immersive, role-based learning. Set in the year 2047, the simulation imagined the early days of a Martian settlement. Students, now “New Martians,” were tasked… READ MORE >

Pushing the Boundaries of Space Robotics: Dr. Kris Zacny at 2025 Mars Society Convention

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Kris Zacny, Vice President and Director of Exploration Technology at Honeybee Robotics (an American subsidiary of Blue Origin), will be a featured speaker at the 28th Annual International Mars Society Convention, scheduled for October 9–11, 2025 at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. As a senior research scientist with expertise in planetary robotic systems for life detection, planetary mining, mobility, surface power, and structures, Dr. Zacny offers invaluable insights into advancing… READ MORE >

A Journey Beyond Earth: NASA Astronaut Dr. Tracy Dyson on Red Planet Live

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 >

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 >

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 >

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 >

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 >

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 >

Legacies of Exploration: Red Planet Live with MDRS Leadership

Join us on Tuesday, March 18 at 5pm PT for an extraordinary journey into the future of space exploration on Red Planet Live. Hosted by Ashton Zeth, this special episode brings together the visionary leadership of the Mars Society’s Mars Desert Research Station, located near Hanksville, Utah. In an engaging conversation, Executive Director James Burk, Director of MDRS Sergii Iakymov, and Director of Refits Kay Radzik will share the insights and experiences garnered from over twenty years of groundbreaking research… READ MORE >

Unleash Your Creativity: 2025 Mars Society Poster Contest

The Mars Society is thrilled to announce its annual poster design contest—and is calling on all creative minds! If you have a passion for graphic design and a love for Mars and space exploration, this is your chance to make your mark. The winning poster will be featured as the main promotional graphic for the 28th Annual International Mars Society Convention, set for October 9–11, 2025 at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. This year’s convention theme, “Mars:… READ MORE >

Call for Abstracts

The 2025 International Mars Society Convention invites presentations addressing all aspects of Mars exploration and settlement. We welcome proposals covering topics such as science, technology, engineering, politics, economics, public policy, space advocacy, international cooperation, and more. If you are interested in sharing your insights during the three-day event (October 9-11 at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles), please submit an abstract of 150-300 words via our Mars Society abstract page by Friday, June 27th at 5:00 pm MT for consideration…. READ MORE >

Mars Society Denounces Trump Plans to Wreck NASA Space Science

News broke today that the Trump administration will ask for a 50 percent cut in NASA’s Space Science Directorate budget for FY 2026. These cuts will almost certainly entail the shutting down of the Mars Curiosity rover, the Hubble Space Telescope, the Voyager and New Horizon interstellar probes, among others, and derail almost all plans for future American planetary exploration and astronomy missions. The Mars Society stands 100 percent in opposition to this brutal attempt to wreck American space science…. READ MORE >

High Schoolers, Ready to Conquer Mars? Join the 2025 Mission to Mars Engineering Design Competition!

The Mars Society is very proud to launch its Fourth Annual International Mission to Mars Engineering Design Competition for high school students aged 13-19 worldwide. This exciting virtual program invites students to take on a hands-on design challenge and explore the future of Mars exploration. Running Monday through Friday from June 9 – July 18, 2025, the program features lectures and workshops led by top scientists and engineers from NASA, the aerospace industry, and global academia. Participants will design a… READ MORE >

Join the Journey: 2025 Int’l Mars Society Convention – Mars: The Time Has Come!

Get ready, Mars enthusiasts! The 2025 International Mars Society Convention is set for Thursday-Saturday, October 9–11 at USC (University of Southern California) in Los Angeles—its 28th year as the premier global conference on Mars exploration, human settlement planning, and cutting-edge space technologies. As the U.S. government announces its intention to make a near-term human mission to Mars the central goal of America’s space program, the convention’s theme “Mars: The Time has Come” will be right on target. Join leading scientists,… READ MORE >

Join Dr. Robert Zubrin for a Special Episode of Red Planet Live!

The vision of sending humans to Mars is closer than ever, with both private and government-led initiatives making serious progress. Organizations like NASA, SpaceX, and international space agencies are actively developing the technology and strategies to make interplanetary travel a reality. But getting there requires more than just innovation—it demands consistent funding, policy stability, and global collaboration to ensure long-term success. To explore these challenges and opportunities, the Mars Society’s Red Planet Live podcast is convening a special episode with Dr. Robert Zubrin, the organization’s president and founder. Join us on Tuesday, March 4th… READ MORE >

Jim Cantrell Joins Red Planet Live: A Discussion on Space & Exploration

The Mars Society is pleased to announce that Jim Cantrell, a renowned space entrepreneur and founding team member of SpaceX, will be the featured guest on the next episode of Red Planet Live (Feb. 18, 5pm PST) with host Ashton Zeth. Jim has played a pivotal role in the space industry, founding Phantom Space, Vector, and StratSpace, and contributing to 46+ satellite flight missions, including Iridium Next, Lightsail solar sail, and Osiris-Rex asteroid return. His extensive experience includes work with… READ MORE >

[R.Zubrin Op-Ed] The Mars Dream Is Back — Here’s How to Make It Actually Happen

By Dr. Robert Zubrin, The New Atlantis, 01.31.25 Between SpaceX’s breakthroughs and Trump’s inaugural promise, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity. But it can’t be realized as an eccentric’s project or a pork banquet. Here’s a science-driven program that could get astronauts on the Red Planet by 2031. America now has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to open the space frontier by initiating a sustained program of human exploration of Mars. Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starship launch system will soon be operational, offering payload… READ MORE >

Shelli Brunswick Joins RPL Podcast: Insights on Space Innovation & Leadership 

The Mars Society is excited to announce that Shelli Brunswick, a globally renowned leader and speaker connecting the space community with the wider public to foster collaboration and innovation, will be the next guest on the Red Planet Live (RPL) podcast, hosted by Ashton Zeth. Tune in on Tuesday, February 4th, at 5:00 PM PST. Ms. Brunswick’s distinguished career includes her service in the U.S. Air Force, where she led space acquisition and policy initiatives, and her role as COO of Space… READ MORE >

Space Robotics Leader Says Humans Will Soon Join Robots on Moon, Mars

Forbes, a renowned international magazine, covers a recent Red Planet Live podcast interview, hosted by Ashton Connaughton (Zeth), featuring Dr. Kris Zacny, VP of Honeybee Robotics, a Blue Origin Company, as he discusses plans for human and robotic exploration of the Moon and Mars. By Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes, 01.26.25 One of the globe’s top designers of space robots says a new “Golden Age of Space Exploration” – spearheaded by the world’s twin Titans of spaceflight – will speed up… READ MORE >

Mars Society Hails New Glenn’s Milestone Launch, “A Giant Leap Towards Opening the Space Frontier”

The Mars Society, the world’s largest space advocacy group dedicated to the human exploration and settlement of the Red Planet, hailed yesterday’s successful test flight of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. With its upper stage officially reaching orbit, this achievement marks a pivotal milestone for Blue Origin in its quest to advance space technology. Dr. Robert Zubrin, President of the Mars Society, praised the achievement, stating, “We welcome Blue Origin joining SpaceX with the successful launch… READ MORE >

Space Mining & Exploration: Next Topic on Red Planet Live with Honeybee Robotics’ Dr. Kris Zacny

We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Kris Zacny, Vice President & Director of Exploration Technology at Honeybee Robotics, as the next guest on Red Planet Live! Hosted by Ashton Zeth, this exciting episode will air on Tuesday, January 21st, at 5:00 PM PST / 8:00 PM EST. Dr. Zacny will share insights into Honeybee Robotics’ cutting-edge advancements in spacecraft, robotic rovers, and deep-space exploration technologies. He’ll also discuss space mining, In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), and planetary geotechnical engineering, answering questions from… READ MORE >

Be Part of It! MTI’s Mars Against Hunger Competition!

The Mars Technology Institute (MTI) announced late last year that it is launching a global competition to demonstrate radically more efficient methods of food production needed to support the human settlement of the Red Planet. MTI is calling its contest the Mars Against Hunger (MAH) Prize because the technologies it aims to develop could go a long way towards ending the age-old scourge of hunger on Earth. There is no technological challenge in providing food for a Mars exploration expedition. Human explorers can simply bring their… READ MORE >