We’re thrilled to announce that Dr. Katie Stack-Morgan, senior research scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and deputy project scientist for the Curiosity rover, will be the featured guest on our next episode of Red Planet Live, airing Tuesday, June 17th at 5:00 PM PT, hosted by Ashton Zeth. Dr. Stack-Morgan is one of NASA’s leading planetary geologists, with a research focus on the sedimentary history of Mars and the role water has played in shaping the planet’s surface. In… READ MORE >
News & Announcements
June 6th, 2025
Evolving Life Beyond Earth: Opportunities for a Green Mars at Mars Society Convention
Dr. Erika DeBenedictis, CEO of Pioneer Labs and a Resident at the Astera Institute, will be giving a plenary talk at the 28th Annual International Mars Society Convention, taking place October 9–11, 2025, at the University of Southern California (USC). Her talk, titled “Opportunities for a Green Human Civilization on Mars,” will explore how principles of evolution and biological engineering can be applied to building sustainable life beyond Earth. Dr. DeBenedictis is also the lead author of a new research… READ MORE >
May 30th, 2025
AI for Mars & Earth: Dex Hunter-Torricke Joins 2025 Mars Society Convention
We’re excited to announce that Dex Hunter-Torricke will be a featured plenary speaker at the 28th Annual International Mars Society Convention, taking place October 9-11, 2025, at USC in Los Angeles. A veteran strategist and communicator at the highest levels of tech and global leadership, Dex has spent the past two decades shaping the public messaging of major figures and companies at the forefront of innovation. He previously served as Head of Communications at SpaceX, where he worked directly with… READ MORE >
May 27th, 2025
JPL Chief Engineer Rob Manning to Headline Friday Banquet at Mars Society Convention
Rob Manning, one of NASA JPL’s most accomplished and respected engineers, will deliver the Friday evening keynote at the 28th Annual International Mars Society Convention, taking place October 9-11, 2025, at USC in Los Angeles. His address is scheduled for the evening of Friday, October 10th. With a career spanning more than three decades at JPL, Rob has helped shape nearly every phase of modern Mars exploration. He served as Chief Engineer for Mars Pathfinder, where he led the Entry,… READ MORE >
May 25th, 2025
Reimagining Spaceflight: BlackStar Orbital CEO CJ Jannette on RPL Podcast
Get ready for a high-velocity conversation on the next episode of Red Planet Live (RPL)! Christopher “CJ” Jannette, Co-Founder & CEO of BlackStar Orbital, will join host Ashton Zeth on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 5:00pm PT / 8:00pm ET. A systems engineer, entrepreneur, and technologist, CJ has been instrumental in advancing modular, reusable satellite platforms. His impressive background includes work with SpaceX, NASA KSC, Ripple Aerospace, and the U.S. Air Force, where he contributed to Starship’s thermal protection systems… READ MORE >
May 20th, 2025
JPL’s Dr. Abigail Fraeman Returns to Share New Curiosity Insights at 2025 Mars Society Convention
We’re excited to welcome back Dr. Abigail Fraeman as a plenary speaker at the 28th Annual International Mars Society Convention, taking place October 9–11 at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Dr. Fraeman is a Research Scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and currently serves as the Deputy Project Scientist for the Mars Science Laboratory mission, home to the Curiosity rover. In her plenary talk, she will provide a compelling update on Curiosity’s latest discoveries as it continues… READ MORE >
May 16th, 2025
How Close Is The U.S. To Sending Humans To Mars? [CNBC Report]
An in-depth CNBC video report takes a close look at the technical, psychological, and logistical challenges of sending humans to Mars. The segment includes a visit to the Mars Society’s Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah, showcasing life inside a Mars analog simulation. It features interviews with Mars Society President Dr. Robert Zubrin, members of MDRS Crew 315, and other leading space experts discussing what it will take to get astronauts to the Red Planet—and keep them alive. Ever… READ MORE >
May 15th, 2025
Deadline Extensions Announced!
The Mars Society has extended the application deadlines for two major 2025 programs: Mars Society Poster Contest (for the 2025 Convention): Submit your original artwork around the theme “Mars: The Time Has Come!” for a chance to have your design featured as the official poster for the 28th Annual International Mars Society Convention, happening October 9–11, 2025, at USC in Los Angeles. The winning poster will be used in promotional materials and showcased at the event. Designs should be 11″… READ MORE >
