Advancing Knowledge of Other Worlds
For decades, NASA’s planetary science program has advanced scientific understanding of our solar system in extraordinary ways, pushing the limits of spacecraft and robotic engineering design and operation.
NASA spacecraft have visited every planet and a variety of small bodies, and current and upcoming missions will bring back samples from exciting destinations, allowing detailed study and analysis back on Earth.
Using recommendations from the National Academies' Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey 2023-2032 as our guide, NASA planetary science missions and research inform us about our solar system's origin and evolution, which will enable the expansion of humanity beyond Earth.
![Jupiter is in the upper right corner with moon Io to the bottom left.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/io-jupiter-juno-pia25726.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
International Observe the Moon Night
Registration is now open for individuals or groups to participate virtually or in-person for the annual International Observe the Moon Night, which will be held this year on Saturday, Sept. 14.
Learn More![Illustration of imagined landscape with world landmarks, silhouette of a boy looking up at a graphical logo representing the Moon, with the title "Observe the Moon". Subtitle text reads, "September 14, 2024"](https://cdn.statically.io/img/science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2024-iomn-key-visual.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
Planetary Science Missions
NASA’s robotic explorers gather data to help scientists understand how the planets formed, what triggered different evolutionary paths among planets, what processes have occurred and are active, and how Earth among the planets became habitable.
In searching for evidence of life beyond Earth, scientists use these data to map zones of habitability, studying the chemistry of unfamiliar worlds, and unveiling the processes that lead to conditions necessary for life. With this knowledge, NASA is enabling safe and effective human missions to destinations beyond low Earth orbit.
![Blue spiral graphic against space background showing planetary science mission icons](https://cdn.statically.io/img/science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/planetary-fleet-spiral-01172024a.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
NASA missions continue to explore from the innermost planet, Mercury, to the outer reaches of the solar system, where Pluto orbits among many Kuiper Belt Objects. We have orbited and traversed the surface of Mars, finding evidence of liquid water and ancient habitable environments.
Closer to home, the Planetary Science Division uses Earth-orbiting telescopes and ground-based sensors in coordination with other organizations, including the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Air Force. These telescopes and sensors are used to survey space to detect, track, catalog, and characterize near-Earth objects (NEOs), which may pose hazards to Earth or provide destinations and resources for future exploration.
![A robotic arm laden with science instruments extends toward a rocky outcrop on Mars.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/pia24925-1600x900-2.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
![An illustration shows a spacecraft in silhouette above an icy moon's surface with reddish fractures. Beyond the moon's horizon, the planet Jupiter sits in the distance.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/europa-clipper-journey-to-an-ocean-world-desk-background-2560x1440-1.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
![Falcon heavy rocket carrying Psyche spacecraft emits fire and smoke as it lifts off](https://cdn.statically.io/img/science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/psychelaunch.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
Europa Clipper
NASA’s Europa Clipper mission, slated to launch in October 2024, will investigate Jupiter’s icy moon Europa, which — with its subsurface ocean — is one of the most promising places in our solar system to find environments capable of supporting life.
Learn MoreOur Solar System
Join NASA's planetary science team as we explore our planetary neighborhood: The Sun, planets, moons, and millions of asteroids, and comets.
Learn More![Illustration showing the planets stacked in rows.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/planets3x3-pluto-colormercury-axis-tilt-nolabels-1080p.00001-print.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
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More NASA Planetary Science News
![Finn Braun stands behind a lectern and to the left of Dr. Pascal Lee. Both are in front of a slide showing their design for a lunar ATV. A model of a lunar module is in front of them, on a table.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/braun-lee-isdc2024-lynn-cominsky.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
NASA’s Neurodiversity Network Interns Speak at National Space Development Conference
![Randi Neff of the NASA SciAct-funded Smoky Mountains STEM Collaborative presents at the National Rural STEM Learning Summit.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/3-national-rural-stem-neff-rae-ostman.png?w=4096&format=png)
NASA Science Activation Teams Present at National Rural STEM Summit
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1-2024mk-16.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
NASA’s Planetary Radar Tracks Two Large Asteroid Close Approaches
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1-asteroid-illo.jpg?w=4096&format=jpeg)
NASA Asteroid Experts Create Hypothetical Impact Scenario for Exercise