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 >
Topic Area: Science
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
July 20, 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of NASA’s historic Viking 1 landing on Mars—a landmark achievement that forever changed the course of planetary exploration and humanity’s vision for the future. When Viking 1 successfully touched down on the Chryse Planitia region of Mars on July 20, 1976, it became the first spacecraft to achieve a successful landing on the Red Planet and conduct extended scientific operations from its surface. Over the years that followed, Viking 1 transmitted thousands of… READ MORE >
The Mars Society is pleased to announce that Crew 19 has officially arrived at the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station on Devon Island in Nunavut Territory approximately 900 miles from the North Pole, and is now beginning its highly anticipated analog mission. Advance Team members Rhett Woods, Raleigh Swick, Dr. Laura Thomas, and Terry Trevino traveled to the station together to prepare for the expedition. On July 13th, Rhett, Raleigh, and Terry completed a successful “crew hot-swap” and returned home,… READ MORE >
Could life have begun on Mars? In this thought-provoking review, Dr. Robert Zubrin examines Dr. Steven Benner’s new book and its exploration of one of planetary science’s biggest questions. Meet Dr. Benner in person at the 2026 International Mars Society Convention, where he’ll deliver a plenary address, sign copies of his books, and join a special panel discussion on this fascinating topic. By Dr. Robert Zubrin, National Review, 07.11.26 Steve Benner is one of the heavyweights of both theoretical and applied… READ MORE >
Technology entrepreneur and commercial spaceflight pioneer Tim Ellis, Co-Founder and Board Member of Relativity Space, will participate in a special fireside chat at the 2026 International Mars Society Convention, taking place October 22–24 at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. As the founding CEO of Relativity Space, Ellis spent nearly a decade building the company into one of the world’s most innovative aerospace firms, growing it to more than 1,500 employees, raising over $2 billion in funding,… READ MORE >
The Mars Society is pleased to report that the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station Advance Team, consisting of Terry Trevino, Rhett Woods, Raleigh Swick, and Dr. Laura Thomas, has arrived safely on Devon Island in Nunavut Territory, marking the official start of the 2026 Canadian Arctic field season. Over the coming days, the team will prepare the station for the upcoming arrival of Crew 19 by carrying out critical maintenance and infrastructure upgrades, including improvements to the habitat’s heating, electrical,… READ MORE >
The Mars Society is pleased to announce the deployment of Crew 19 to the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station on Devon Island in Nunavut Territory in Canada for a multi-week mission beginning in early July during the 2026 Arctic field season. Located approximately 900 miles from the North Pole, Flashline is one of the world’s most important Mars analog research facilities, providing a unique environment for testing technologies, conducting scientific investigations, and studying human performance under conditions similar to those… READ MORE >
Dr. Kevin Pollpeter, Director of Research for the China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI), will participate as a plenary speaker at the 2026 International Mars Society Convention, taking place October 22–24 at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. A leading expert on China’s space program, information warfare, and national security strategy, Dr. Pollpeter has spent decades analyzing the evolving role of space in global competition and military affairs. Prior to joining CASI, he served as a Senior Research… READ MORE >
The Mars Society is proud to join a broad coalition of scientific organizations, advocacy groups, industry associations, labor unions, and research institutions in urging Congress to reject the proposed FY 2027 cuts to NASA’s space science programs. Led by The Planetary Society, this joint effort reflects growing concern across the American space community that these proposed reductions would seriously damage U.S. leadership in planetary exploration, scientific discovery, technology development, and STEM education. We invite supporters to read and share the… READ MORE >
Red Planet Live, the Mars Society’s podcast hosted by Ashton Zeth, has released a new pre-recorded interview special focused on the work and future vision of the Mars Technology Institute (MTI), a research initiative dedicated to advancing technologies essential for long-term human settlement on Mars. The episode features conversations with Quinn Morley, CEO & Co-founder of Unleashed Robotics, Shaun Riddell, CEO of Space DIRT, and Julien Villa-Massone of Dynamik Orbits, exploring breakthrough developments in robotics, artificial intelligence, biosignature research, autonomous… READ MORE >
The Mars Society is pleased to announce that renowned planetary scientist Dr. Ashwin Vasavada will serve as a plenary speaker at the 2026 International Mars Society Convention, taking place October 22–24 at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. Dr. Vasavada is a leading expert on Mars exploration and currently serves as Project Scientist for NASA’s Curiosity rover mission at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Over the course of his distinguished career, he has played a major role… READ MORE >
The Mars Society is pleased to announce that veteran NASA engineer Humphrey “Hoppy” Price will serve as a plenary speaker at the 2026 International Mars Society Convention, scheduled for October 22–24 at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. A leading figure at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Mr. Price currently serves as Chief Engineer for NASA’s Robotic Mars Exploration Program, where he has played a central role in advancing mission architectures and technologies aimed at expanding humanity’s reach deeper… READ MORE >
Appearing on Tim Ventura Interviews, a popular YouTube science and technology program, Mars Society President Dr. Robert Zubrin discusses the future of human Mars exploration, the search for past or present life on the Red Planet, and why establishing a permanent human presence on Mars is essential for the long-term future of civilization. The wide-ranging conversation also explores current NASA strategy, mission architecture concepts, advanced propulsion ideas, and the growing international push toward becoming a multi-planetary species. To watch the… READ MORE >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
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 >
Join us today (February 17th, 5:00 pm PST) for a new Red Planet Live podcast episode featuring an in-depth look at HOPE in Ladakh, India — the newest addition to the global Mars analog community and an exciting step forward in international space research. As a project partner, the Mars Society is proud to support this important initiative advancing analog science and collaboration in northern India. Host Ashton Zeth speaks with Dr. Siddarth Pandey of Protoplanet as well as Dr. Annalea Beattie and Dr…. READ MORE >
The Mars Society would like to extend its sincere thanks to Alpha School, an AI-powered private K–12 school network operating in Texas, Florida, Arizona, California and several other states, for its recent collaboration at our Mars Desert Research Station in southern Utah. As part of a filming project by Limitless Productions at MDRS featuring three Alpha School students, the production company made significant updates to the interior of the habitat to create a more immersive, Mars-like environment. These enhancements included… READ MORE >