The Planetary Society

Founded in 1980 by Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray, and Louis Friedman, The Planetary Society is a member-funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers people worldwide to advance space science and exploration. Its three enduring priorities are increasing discoveries across the Solar System, elevating the search for life beyond Earth, and reducing the risk of asteroid or comet impacts. Through advocacy, education and outreach, scientific innovation, global collaboration, member-funded projects such as LightSail 2, planetary-defense and amateur-astronomy grants, publications, and public action, the Society connects a global community with robotic exploration, planetary science, and space policy.