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 >
News & Announcements
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
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, space enthusiasts, and dreamers of all ages to imagine what life on Mars could look like in the years and decades ahead. Whether your vision features the first settlers building thriving communities, groundbreaking scientific discoveries, or the everyday adventures of living… 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 >
July 21st, 2026
Students from 20 Countries Compete in 5th Annual Int’l Mission to Mars Engineering Design Competition
More than 100 students representing 20 countries came together this summer to participate in the 5th Annual International Mission to Mars Engineering Design Competition, an intensive five-week virtual program supervised by Nicole Willett, M.S., Director of Education for The Mars Society. The program challenged aspiring scientists and engineers to tackle one of humanity’s greatest technological challenges: designing a realistic human mission to Mars. This year’s competition showcased some of the strongest projects in the program’s five-year history, demonstrating not only remarkable technical… READ MORE >
July 20th, 2026
Four Days into Sim: Flashline Station Crew 19 Hits the Ground Running
Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station Crew 19 has officially begun its Mars analog mission on Devon Island, entering full simulation after completing critical maintenance activities left by the Advance Team. The five-member international crew—bringing expertise in engineering, psychology, behavioral science, geology, and the humanities—immediately put their diverse skills to work. Their first EVAs included retrieving fuel and water supplies, conducting field observations, and becoming familiar with one of Earth’s closest analogs to the Martian surface. On their second day, the… READ MORE >
