By Lou Farrell, Senior Writer, Red Planet Bound There has been a recently-renewed focus on lunar exploration as of late, best exemplified by the Artemis II mission, which began on April 1, 2026 and lasted nine days. The mission garnered worldwide interest and acclaim. On a surface level, one can understand the appeal of prioritizing lunar exploration, as the Moon provides a controlled environment near Earth for testing technologies and strategies under real space conditions. Thankfully, that same factor also… READ MORE >
News & Announcements
April 18th, 2026
Seeking Experts: Join the Mars Society’s Safety & Risk Management Advisory Committee
The Mars Society is pleased to announce the formation of a new Advisory Committee on Safety & Risk Management, aimed at strengthening safe, ethical, and resilient operations across its global network of analog research stations. This committee will serve as an independent advisory body, providing expert guidance to the Mars Society leadership team, including Executive Director James Burk, and Director of Safety Russ Nelson. Its work will support ongoing efforts to enhance safety standards, improve operational practices, and align with… READ MORE >
April 16th, 2026
Create the Vision: 2026 Mars Society Poster Contest Open Now!
The Mars Society is excited to announce its annual poster design contest—and we’re calling on creative minds around the world to take part. If you have a passion for graphic design and a love for Mars and space exploration, this is your opportunity to help shape the visual identity of our biggest event of the year. The winning design will be featured as the official promotional poster for the 29th Annual International Mars Society Convention, taking place October 22–24, 2026… READ MORE >
April 15th, 2026
Harper’s Magazine Feature: Redshift – Rehearsing [at MDRS] for Humanity’s Future on Mars
By Elena Saavedra Buckley, Harper’s Magazine, 04.15.26 To become a Martian colonist, I first had to fill out a Google Form. It asked me about my aviation know-how, medical training, and experience “working in extreme environments.” I sheepishly wrote “N/A” each time, adding a note that highlighted my cooking and social skills. It turned out that this was okay: I was only going to Utah, after all, and the institution running the show was not a multibillion-dollar federal agency but… READ MORE >
April 12th, 2026
How a Visit to NASA Inspired a Novel [RPB Blog]
By Amie Kaufman, Red Planet Bound The first time I handed a manuscript to an astrophysicist for a fact check, she returned it with about twenty-five pages of typed notes, many of which were ALL CAPS. It turned out movies have a quite lot to answer for when it comes to the average person’s understanding of space. It was, to say the least, the beginning of a journey. I’d grown up loving Star Trek and reading Clarke and Asimov and… READ MORE >
April 12th, 2026
Submit an Abstract – 2026 International Mars Society Convention
The 2026 International Mars Society Convention is now accepting abstract submissions for presentations covering all aspects of Mars exploration and settlement. We welcome proposals across a wide range of topics, including science, engineering, technology development, human factors, public policy, economics, and other key areas shaping the future of the Red Planet. This global gathering will bring together scientists, engineers, policymakers, industry leaders, and space advocates to share ideas, research, and strategies for advancing human exploration of Mars. Whether your work… READ MORE >
March 31st, 2026
Mars Society & INCOSE Foundation Announce Systems Engineering Award for URC
The Mars Society is proud to welcome the INCOSE Foundation as an Educational Partner of the University Rover Challenge (URC). The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, charitable organization affiliated with the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) and is committed to rewarding skills through scholarships for those engaged in finding solutions to complex technical challenges at all stages of their education or career. Together, the organizations are pleased to announce the establishment of the INCOSE Foundation Excellence in Systems Engineering Award. This… READ MORE >
March 28th, 2026
How Mars Rover Components Are Tested for Red Planet Survivability [RPB Blog]
By Lou Farrell, Senior Writer, Red Planet Bound Mars rovers are among the most meticulously engineered machines ever built. Getting one to the Red Planet is only half the challenge, as the real test is keeping it alive once it’s there. Surviving on Mars demands that every component withstand conditions that would destroy ordinary machinery within hours. This degree of readiness is achieved through a series of demanding tests designed to simulate the harshest environment any machine has ever been… READ MORE >
