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 >
News & Announcements
February 23rd, 2025
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 >
February 10th, 2025
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 >
January 31st, 2025
[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 >
January 29th, 2025
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 >
January 28th, 2025
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 >
January 17th, 2025
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 >
January 14th, 2025
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 >
