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EnglishWhat is The Planetary Society?
Updated
The Planetary Society is a member-funded nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing space science and exploration. Co-founded by Carl Sagan in 1980, it describes itself as the largest and most effective nonprofit organization promoting space exploration through education, advocacy, and member support. If you want to understand who runs it, what it actually does, and how it is funded, the short answer is: it is not a government agency and not a space company — it is an advocacy and education group supported by members and donors.
What the organization does
The Planetary Society organizes its work around three core enterprises:
- Explore Worlds — increase discoveries about the worlds of our Solar System and beyond.
- Find Life — elevate the search for life as a space exploration priority.
- Defend Earth — decrease the risk of Earth being hit by an asteroid or comet.
These three goals frame both its public education content and its policy positions.
How it is funded and structured
The organization states that it is a registered nonprofit and is member-funded. Its membership page lists monthly contribution options of $4, $10, $20, and $40, alongside a donation channel for fundraising campaigns. This matters for how you read its output: it is not a government body, so its role is advocacy, education, and public engagement rather than operating missions itself.
What it publishes and advocates
The site's content falls into a few recurring categories:
| Area | What you'll find |
|---|---|
| Featured Stories | Articles on missions and discoveries, such as New Horizons instruments and Artemis IV |
| Space Policy & Advocacy | Positions on Mars sample return, NASA science funding, NEO Surveyor, and Artemis procurement |
| Planetary Radio | A recurring audio program |
| Action Hub | Ways for members to take action on policy issues |
| Member programs | Roundtables, grants (e.g., STEP Grant winners), and tours |
It also runs sweepstakes and fundraising campaigns, such as a total solar eclipse expedition in Egypt.
Who it is for
This is a useful resource if you want:
- Plain-language coverage of space missions and planetary science.
- A way to follow space policy debates and advocacy positions.
- A membership route to support space exploration financially.
- Educational material tied to the search for life and planetary defense.
It is less suited if you are looking for primary mission data, engineering documentation, or official government policy — those come from agencies like NASA, not from an advocacy nonprofit.
How to engage
You can subscribe for updates and weekly tools, become a member at one of the listed monthly tiers, donate to a fundraising campaign, or follow its policy and advocacy coverage. The organization notes you may opt out of communications at any time and points to its Privacy Policy for details.