Unleashed Robotics, a Washington state-based company and Tier-1 partner of the Mars Technology Institute (MTI), established by the Mars Society to advance technologies needed for the human exploration and settlement of the Red Planet, has been selected by NASA for negotiation for a $225,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I award. The six-month project will advance the company’s innovative robotic core-drilling technology for future planetary exploration. The project, “Iris Core Cutter and Retention Mechanism for Stratigraphy-Preservation,” will focus on… READ MORE >
News & Announcements
August 6th, 2026
Building the Next Generation of Moon & Mars Exploration: New Partnership Featured on Red Planet Live
Join Mars Society Executive Director James Burk and South Seattle College President Dr. Monica Brown on Tuesday, August 18th (5:00 pm PT) for a special episode of the Red Planet Live podcast, hosted by Ashton Zeth, as they discuss the Society’s new 10-year partnership with the College to build a Moon-Mars analog research station in the Pacific Northwest. The conversation will explore how this ambitious collaboration will establish a new center for analog astronaut training, scientific research, workforce development, and… READ MORE >
August 3rd, 2026
Science, Space & Settlement: Join the World’s Largest Gathering Focused on Mars this Fall
From the search for life on Mars and the latest discoveries by NASA’s Curiosity rover to commercial spaceflight, space geopolitics, and the technologies that will one day enable humans to settle the Red Planet, the 2026 International Mars Society Convention promises one of the most exciting and wide-ranging programs in the event’s history. Held October 22–24 at the University of Southern California (USC), the convention will bring together leading scientists, engineers, astronauts, entrepreneurs, policymakers, students, and Mars advocates from around… READ MORE >
July 30th, 2026
Mars Society Salutes Canada-U.S. Volunteer Team for Supporting Successful Flashline Crew 19 Mission
The Mars Society extends its thanks to our dedicated Mission Control Centre team, whose behind-the-scenes efforts earlier this month, helped ensure the safe and successful completion of the Crew 19 analog mission at the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station on Devon Island in Nunavut, Territory, Canada. Led by Glenn Scott, President of the Mars Society of Canada, the all-volunteer Canadian & U.S. team included Rym Chaid, Isabella Bogecho, Bill Maloney, and Daniel Buttigieg. Throughout the mission, they provided critical operational… READ MORE >
July 29th, 2026
Why Future Mars Bases Will Need Industrial-Strength Power Infrastructure [Blog]
By Lou Farrell, Senior Writer, Red Planet Bound Humanity’s ambitions to establish Mars bases face one major challenge before any other can be addressed. Without a reliable power infrastructure capable of withstanding the planet’s extreme conditions, life support systems fail and exploration grinds to a halt. Building a base on Mars demands industrial-strength energy solutions that can thrive in an environment hostile to both equipment and human survival. The Constant Demand for Energy in a New World Every watt of… READ MORE >
July 28th, 2026
Mars Society’s Missouri Chapter Launches Creative “Imagine Mars” Writing Contest
UPDATE: By popular request, the submission deadline for the Imagine Mars Story Contest has been extended! You now have until Monday, September 7, at 5:00 pm MT to submit your story and share your vision of life on the Red Planet. The Mars Society is pleased to announce the launch of the Imagine Mars Story Contest, a new creative writing competition organized by our Missouri Mars Mavens chapter. Spearheaded by chapter leader Kevin Kelly, the contest invites students, aspiring writers,… READ MORE >
July 24th, 2026
From Viking’s Legacy to Tomorrow’s Mars: Crew 19 Completes Devon Island Analog Mission
The second half of Crew 19’s mission at the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station on Devon Island (Nunavut Territory) highlighted the realities of long-duration exploration in one of Earth’s closest analogs to Mars. As the analog mission entered its final days, the crew balanced demanding scientific research with habitat maintenance, equipment repairs, outreach activities, and daily operations under simulated Mars mission conditions. Despite mechanical setbacks, harsh terrain, and the logistical challenges of operating in the High Arctic, the team consistently… READ MORE >
July 21st, 2026
Mars Society & South Seattle College Sign 10-Year Agreement to Build Moon-Mars Analog Research Station in Pacific NW
Partnership envisions creating a regional aerospace workforce, research, and education platform timed to NASA’s Artemis program and Project Ignition Moon Base initiative. The Mars Society, through its Seattle Chapter, and South Seattle College (SSC) have signed a 10-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) establishing a multi-program partnership to build a Moon and Mars analog research station on the South Seattle College campus in West Seattle and create a regional education and workforce pathway for the next generation of aerospace researchers, technicians and engineers. … READ MORE >
