We’re thrilled to announce a special weekend edition of Red Planet Live! Join us Saturday, November 15th at 11:00 AM PT / 7:00 PM London time, as host Ashton Zeth welcomes Dex Hunter-Torricke, one of the world’s leading strategists on artificial intelligence and technology, for an exclusive conversation on AI, ethics, and the future of innovation. With nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of technology and global leadership, Dex has shaped communication and strategy for some of the… READ MORE >
Topic Area: Space Exploration
Dr. Robert Zubrin, President of The Mars Society, inspired audiences at the 2025 New Worlds Conference in Austin over the weekend with a compelling message: “Freedom will give us Space, and Space will give us Freedom — but only if we have the courage to use and defend it.” Hosted by longtime space visionary Rick Tumlinson, the New Worlds Conference brought together leaders, thinkers, policymakers, and explorers to discuss humanity’s next great leap into the cosmos. In his remarks, Dr…. READ MORE >
We’re thrilled to welcome MIT’s Dr. Sara Seager to Red Planet Live, our 60-minute podcast hosted by Ashton Zeth, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET — one hour earlier than usual. A pioneering exoplanet scientist, Dr. Seager is the Class of 1941 Professor of Planetary Science, Physics, and Aeronautics & Astronautics at MIT. Her groundbreaking research helped establish the field of exoplanet atmospheres, advancing our understanding of distant worlds beyond our solar system…. READ MORE >
The Mars Society extends its deepest gratitude to the sponsors of the 28th Annual International Mars Society Convention. Their generous support made it possible to bring together an exceptional community of experts, students, and space enthusiasts from around the world, both in-person and virtually — all united in advancing the cause of Mars exploration and human spaceflight. “Our sponsors make this convention possible each year.” said James Burk, Executive Director of the Mars Society. “Their support helps us connect the… READ MORE >
Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 5:00 PM PT Watch at: https://bit.ly/3Wg8Yfa. Join Ashton Zeth, host of Red Planet Live, for a special premiere episode featuring exclusive highlights from the 28th Annual International Mars Society Convention, held earlier this month at the University of Southern California. This one-hour recap offers a dynamic look at some of the most inspiring and forward-thinking talks from the event — a perfect opportunity to relive (or catch up on) the excitement of the world’s premier Mars… READ MORE >
The New York Times just featured our 28th Annual International Mars Society Convention at USC in an in-depth article! From packed panels to spirited discussions, the piece captures the excitement and momentum of our recent gathering in Los Angeles. By Alex Vadukul, New York Times, Oct. 15, 2025 On the campus of the University of Southern California, the morning sun illuminated an inflatable replica of a white space station fit for human habitation. The little sign next to it declared: “Mars:… READ MORE >
The European Mars Conference (EMC-2025), hosted by the Association Planète Mars (APM), the French chapter of The Mars Society, will take place in Paris on 28-29 November, 2025. This annual event serves as a major forum for collaboration and idea exchange among Europe’s leading Mars advocates, researchers, engineers, and policymakers. This year’s conference will feature an impressive lineup of speakers and participants from across the continent, including representatives of the European Space Agency (ESA), the Austrian Space Forum (OEWF), and… READ MORE >
**Update from the Mars Society Convention Team** “Houston, we have a problem.” Unfortunately, the USC A/V team is experiencing technical difficulties with the livestream for the sessions at the 2025 International Mars Society Convention. While we won’t be able to stream the talks live, all sessions are being recorded and will be uploaded to our YouTube channel soon for everyone to watch. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience. Please stay tuned here and on our website… READ MORE >
The Mars Society invites everyone with a passion for Mars and space exploration to take part in the 28th Annual International Mars Society Convention, happening October 9–11, 2025 at the University of Southern California (Taper Hall – THH201) in Los Angeles. The event is open to a global audience, with both in-person and virtual participation available. Over the course of three days, the convention will feature an extraordinary lineup of distinguished speakers and thought leaders who will share the latest… READ MORE >
Join the Planetary Society, the Mars Society, and other advocacy groups in urging Congress to protect NASA Science. With a Continuing Resolution likely, OMB is pushing for drastic cuts that Congress has already rejected—threatening jobs and over $12 billion in active missions. Tell your elected officials to set clear funding guidelines under any CR and keep NASA operating at current levels. Raise your voice today to safeguard America’s leadership in space and science! Sign up here: https://bit.ly/42qHk2q. You are invited… READ MORE >
Join us on Tuesday, September 16th at 5:00 pm PT for a special episode of Red Planet Live, hosted by Ashton Zeth, featuring James Burk, Executive Director of the Mars Society. A veteran analog astronaut and crew commander at our Mars Desert Research Station in Utah, a former Microsoft project leader, and co-founder of our growing Mars Technology Institute, James will provide an in-depth update on the Mars Society’s work and initiatives. From the latest Mars Society analog missions in… READ MORE >
The Mars Society is pleased to announce that Dr. Bhavya Lal, professor of Space Policy at the RAND School of Public Policy and former NASA Associate Administrator for Technology, Policy, and Strategy, will be the featured guest on our next Red Planet Live podcast. The program will take place on Tuesday, September 2nd at 5:00 pm PT and will be hosted by Ashton Zeth. Dr. Lal has had a remarkable career in space leadership and policy, having served as the… READ MORE >
Leonard David brings over 50 years of experience covering space—from the earliest robotic planetary probes to the emerging private space economy. Best known as Space.com’s Space Insider Columnist, he has reported for SpaceNews, Scientific American, Aerospace America, and more. He’s the author of key works like Mars: Our Future on the Red Planet (2016), Moon Rush: The New Space Race (2019), and Mission to Mars: My Vision for Space Exploration (co‑authored with Apollo 11’s Buzz Aldrin). Leonard is also the… READ MORE >
Curious about who’s making space exciting, accessible, and just plain cool for the rest of us? Join us on Tuesday, July 15 at 4:00 PM PT [1-hour earlier than usual] for a special live episode of Red Planet Live, where we’ll be diving into the world of space communication with some of the most dynamic voices in the field. Hosted by Ashton Zeth, this one-hour livestream will feature a stellar panel including Camille “The Galactic Gal” Bergin, Susan Martinez, and… READ MORE >
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 >
By Dr. Robert Zubrin, SpaceNews.com, 05.09.25 On May 2, the Trump administration announced its intention to impose massive cuts on the Science directorate of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), reducing its budget from $7.3 billion in 2025 to $3.8 billion in FY2026. These cuts will almost certainly entail the abandonment of the Curiosity rover, the Hubble Space Telescope, the Voyager and New Horizon interstellar probes, among others, and derail almost all plans for future American planetary exploration and astronomy missions…. READ MORE >
The Mars Society is honored to announce that Dr. Orson Sutherland, Programme Manager for Mars Exploration and Acting Exploration Chief Scientist at the European Space Agency (ESA), will deliver a (virtual) plenary address during the 28th Annual International Mars Society Convention October 9-11, 2025 at the University of Southern California (Los Angeles). Dr. Sutherland will outline ESA’s current and future plans for exploring Mars and beyond, drawing from his extensive experience leading key programs such as the ExoMars mission and… READ MORE >
Mark your calendars for Red Planet Live on Tuesday, May 6 at 5:00 pm PT—we’re sitting down with Dr. Oleg Demidov, a trailblazing space and tech entrepreneur, investor, and all-around innovation guru. With two successful startups under his belt, Dr. Demidov is the co-founder of Beyond Earth Ventures and COSolve, both focused on game-changing advances in space and climate tech. He also launched the First Space Tech Syndicate on AngelList to open up space investing to a broader audience. Oh,… READ MORE >
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Kris Zacny, Vice President and Director of Exploration Technology at Honeybee Robotics (an American subsidiary of Blue Origin), will be a featured speaker at the 28th Annual International Mars Society Convention, scheduled for October 9–11, 2025 at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. As a senior research scientist with expertise in planetary robotic systems for life detection, planetary mining, mobility, surface power, and structures, Dr. Zacny offers invaluable insights into advancing… READ MORE >
We’re excited to announce that the Mars Society’s Red Planet Live podcast, hosted by Ashton Zeth, will feature an in‑depth conversation with Dr. Tracy C. Dyson on Tuesday, April 15th (5:30 pm CT / 3:30 pm PT). Dr. Dyson is a veteran NASA astronaut and scientist whose career is as distinguished as it is inspiring. With over 1,000 hours in space across multiple missions and a Ph.D. in chemistry, she has been at the forefront of scientific research on the… READ MORE >
The Mars Society is very pleased to announce that Dr. Vandi Verma, a trailblazer in space robotics and autonomous systems from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will deliver a plenary address at the 28th Annual International Mars Society Convention. This exciting event will take place at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles from October 9–11, 2025 and promises to be a highlight for those passionate about advancing Mars exploration. Dr. Verma brings a wealth of experience from her groundbreaking… READ MORE >
HANKSVILLE, Utah – March 21, 2025 – The Mars Society announced today the launch of a landmark global fundraising campaign to bolster the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), a critical hub for training future Mars explorers and advancing research for life on the Red Planet. Located in the Utah desert, MDRS serves as a premier analog facility where simulated Mars missions and cutting-edge STEM education converge to prepare humanity for its interplanetary future. The campaign aims to raise $250,000 to… READ MORE >
News broke today that the Trump administration will ask for a 50 percent cut in NASA’s Space Science Directorate budget for FY 2026. These cuts will almost certainly entail the shutting down of the Mars Curiosity rover, the Hubble Space Telescope, the Voyager and New Horizon interstellar probes, among others, and derail almost all plans for future American planetary exploration and astronomy missions. The Mars Society stands 100 percent in opposition to this brutal attempt to wreck American space science…. READ MORE >
The Mars Society is pleased to announce that Jim Cantrell, a renowned space entrepreneur and founding team member of SpaceX, will be the featured guest on the next episode of Red Planet Live (Feb. 18, 5pm PST) with host Ashton Zeth. Jim has played a pivotal role in the space industry, founding Phantom Space, Vector, and StratSpace, and contributing to 46+ satellite flight missions, including Iridium Next, Lightsail solar sail, and Osiris-Rex asteroid return. His extensive experience includes work with… READ MORE >
The Mars Society is excited to announce that Shelli Brunswick, a globally renowned leader and speaker connecting the space community with the wider public to foster collaboration and innovation, will be the next guest on the Red Planet Live (RPL) podcast, hosted by Ashton Zeth. Tune in on Tuesday, February 4th, at 5:00 PM PST. Ms. Brunswick’s distinguished career includes her service in the U.S. Air Force, where she led space acquisition and policy initiatives, and her role as COO of Space… READ MORE >