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Post #3: Announcement of Red Planet Live episode in May of 2026
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Mars Technology Institute Featured in New Red Planet Live Interview
New Mars Forums Mailer
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Thu, May 21 at 2:03 PM
MARS SOCIETY ANNOUNCEMENT
Mars Technology Institute Featured in New Red Planet Live Interview
Red Planet Live, the Mars Society’s podcast, 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 systems, and sustainable energy technologies designed to help build resilient off-world communities.
Operating under the Mars Society umbrella, MTI continues to support research aimed at accelerating humanity’s path toward becoming a multi-planet civilization.
We invite you to check out the new RPL episode, now streaming on the Mars Society’s YouTube channel at:
The video is 40 minutes long. James Burk give a short speech at the end.
Red Planet Live will return to live 60-minute programming on Tuesday, July 21st (5:00pm PST) with host Ashton Zeth. The featured guest for the show will be announced in the near future through the Mars Society’s social media platforms.
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Red Planet Pulse Newsletter (June 2026)Message 1 of 1. For JAWS, turn virtual PC Cursor on if needed.
mstoltz@marssociety.org
Wed, Jun 24 at 7:30 PM
Message BodyRed Planet Pulse logo
June 2026
Powered by chapters. Driven by members. Focused on Mars.
Editor’s Note
Humanity’s path to Mars continues to accelerate. This month brought another major step forward with Starship Flight 12, new discoveries about Mars’ ancient past and atmosphere, and growing outreach efforts from Mars Society chapters inspiring communities around the world.
As always, Red Planet Pulse exists to keep you informed, inspired, and connected to the people, discoveries, and events moving humanity closer to the Red Planet. In this edition, we highlight a few of the most timely developments shaping Mars exploration today.
In this edition:
Starship’s mostly successful flightLooking forward to lucky 13
Robert Zubrin shares on Tim Ventura Why Humanity must go to Mars
Solar Storms and Mars’ Atmosphere - new insights about how Mars lost air
Chapter news engagement
And more…
Starship Flight 12: A Giant Step towards Mars
By Jennifer Jones | Editor, Red Planet Pulse | June 2026
SpaceX’s Starship Flight 12, launched on May 22, 2026, marked a major milestone in humanity’s journey toward Mars with the debut of the upgraded Starship/Super Heavy Version 3 (V3) architecture. Lifting off from the newly completed Pad 2 at Starbase, Texas, the mission successfully demonstrated several key technologies essential for future deep-space travel, including hot-stage separation, payload deployment, atmospheric reentry, and a controlled splashdown. For advocates of human Mars exploration, Flight 12 represents another important step in proving the transportation system that could one day carry settlers to the Red Planet.
While the mission did not achieve every objective, it was widely viewed as a major net success. During ascent, Starship lost one of its vacuum-optimized Raptor engines, forcing engineers to abandon a planned in-space engine relight demonstration. The Super Heavy booster also experienced engine relight issues during its return sequence, preventing a fully controlled splashdown. However, the upper-stage spacecraft still completed a successful payload deployment test, survived atmospheric reentry, and executed a controlled landing maneuver in the Indian Ocean—gathering critical data for future flights.
Why does this matter for Mars? Starship remains the leading transportation architecture for large-scale human settlement beyond Earth, including NASA’s Moon-to-Mars ambitions and SpaceX’s long-term vision of establishing a self-sustaining city on Mars. The upgraded V3 system features more powerful Raptor 3 engines, greater payload capacity, and expanded propellant storage, all critical capabilities for carrying cargo, habitats, supplies, and eventually humans across interplanetary space. Flight 12 reminds us that reaching Mars will not be easy—but each test, success, and failure brings humanity one step closer to the climb ahead.
Looking Ahead: Starship Flight 13
SpaceX is currently targeting late June 2026 for Starship Flight 13, which is expected to build directly on lessons learned from Flight 12. Engineers are reportedly implementing targeted thermal protection upgrades to the new Raptor 3 engines, reinforcing sensitive plumbing and electronics after an engine failure during ascent. Additional refinements to the vehicle’s aft shielding and engine relight software are also expected to improve booster recovery performance and reduce the risk of cascading engine failures.Flight 13 is anticipated to serve as a second test of the V3 architecture, with SpaceX aiming to further validate reentry performance, engine reliability, and precision guidance. Regulatory filings also suggest the possibility of Starship’s first full orbital insertion attempt, though the vehicle is still expected to conclude the mission with an ocean splashdown as SpaceX continues working toward eventual tower catches and fully reusable operations. Each flight moves Starship—and humanity—closer to a transportation system capable of supporting a sustained human presence on the Moon and Mars.
Why Humanity Must Go to Mars: Robert Zubrin Shares the Case for the Red Planet
In a recent appearance on Tim Ventura Interviews, Mars Society President Robert Zubrin made a compelling case for why humanity must become a multi-planetary species—and why Mars should be our destination. The wide-ranging discussion explored the scientific search for past or present life on Mars, the importance of establishing a permanent human presence on the Red Planet, and how Mars exploration could help secure the long-term future of civilization.Dr. Zubrin also shared insights on current NASA strategy, mission architecture concepts, advanced propulsion technologies, and the growing international momentum toward human settlement beyond Earth. The interview offers a timely and thought-provoking look at the challenges and opportunities shaping the next great era of exploration.
Watch the full interview: Did Life Begin On Mars? | Robert Zubrin
Featured Speakers Announced for 2026 Mars Society Convention
The Mars Society has announced two distinguished plenary speakers for the 2026 International Mars Society Convention, taking place at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Veteran NASA engineer Humphrey Price, known as “Hoppy,” will bring decades of expertise in robotic and human Mars exploration as Chief Engineer for NASA’s Robotic Mars Exploration Program at JPL. Price has contributed to major NASA missions, including GRAIL and Cassini, and is widely recognized for helping develop innovative human Mars mission architectures, including concepts for future crewed Mars flyby missions. Joining him will be leading space policy expert Dr. Namrata Goswami, who will present Mars and the Return of Geopolitics: Strategic Culture and the First Civilization Beyond Earth, examining how nations may shape the political, economic, and cultural foundations of future off-world civilizations.
Currently serving as Professor of Space Security with the U.S. Space Force Schriever and West Space Scholars Program at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, Dr. Goswami is widely regarded as a leading voice on spacepower, geopolitics, and strategic competition in space. Together, these speakers reflect the convention’s broad focus—from the technical realities of reaching and settling Mars to the geopolitical forces that may shape humanity’s first civilization beyond Earth. The three-day event will bring together scientists, engineers, astronauts, policymakers, educators, students, and advocates from around the world to explore the future of Mars exploration and settlement.
Stay tuned for additional updates about plenary speakers, panel discussions and public debates during our International Convention at USC this October!
To learn more about our 2026 international convention or to submit an abstract for consideration, please visit our convention website.
Chapter Spotlights
Celebrating New Chapters Around the WorldMars Society Welcomes New Chapter in the Dominican Republic
The Mars Society is excited to welcome one of its newest international chapters: the Mars Society República Dominicana, led by Chapter Leader Alba Vásquez. Based in the Dominican Republic, the new chapter represents another important step in expanding the Mars Society’s growing global network of advocates working to inspire the next generation of explorers and advance humanity’s future on Mars.
As Chapter Lead, Alba Vásquez will focus on establishing and growing the Society’s local presence through education, outreach, and community building, with a particular emphasis on promoting human exploration of Mars. The chapter aims to engage students, educators, professionals, and space enthusiasts across the Dominican Republic while creating new opportunities for collaboration and public engagement in space science and exploration.
Find a Chapter near you
San Antonio Chapter Engages Public at Starship Flight 12
The San Antonio Mars Society Chapter recently represented the organization at Starship Flight 12 activities near Starbase, Texas, with Chapter Leader Ron Storie conducting outreach at Isla Blanca Park while awaiting the highly anticipated launch. Although the initial launch attempt was scrubbed just 40 seconds before liftoff, the event still provided valuable opportunities to connect with space enthusiasts gathered to witness history in the making. Ron distributed Mars Society outreach materials from the Chapter Leader starter kit, with Mars-themed stress balls proving especially popular among children and parents, helping spark conversations about Mars exploration and the Society’s mission.
The event also generated unexpected media exposure for the Mars Society. Ron was interviewed by both a local television station and prominent space-focused YouTube creator Joe Tegtmeyer, known for his drone coverage of Starbase and Tesla’s Gigafactory in Austin. Joe—who recently joined the Mars Society and the San Antonio Chapter—conducted an approximately eight-and-a-half-minute interview focused on the Society’s outreach efforts and mission. The experience highlights how chapter-level engagement at major space events can help raise awareness, attract new supporters, and expand public enthusiasm for humanity’s future on Mars.
Visit San Antonio’s Mars Society Chapter page.
Mars Against Hunger: Solving Food Production for Mars—and Earth
The Mars Technology Institute initiative Mars Against Hunger (MAH) is a global competition designed to tackle one of the biggest challenges of long-term Mars settlement: how to produce food efficiently at scale. While small Mars crews can rely on traditional greenhouse methods, feeding a future city of thousands—or even millions—on Mars will require radically more efficient approaches. The competition invites innovators, researchers, students, and entrepreneurs worldwide to develop breakthrough food-production technologies that maximize yield, energy efficiency, safety, and sustainability for life on Mars.
Importantly, the technologies developed for Mars could also have transformative benefits on Earth by helping address global hunger and food insecurity. Areas of focus include biotech solutions (such as converting methane or methanol into edible proteins), advanced hydroponic and aeroponic agriculture, and systems capable of producing food in harsh, resource-limited environments. The program offers cash prizes in both professional and student categories and aims to accelerate innovations that could someday support thriving settlements on Mars while improving food production here at home. Learn more: Mars Against Hunger
Red Planet Live
Great news! Our Red Planet Live podcast returns to live programming on Tuesday, July 21th (5 pm PST) as our amazing host Ashton Zeth returns from maternity leave! Guests for upcoming episodes will be announced very soon. Catch up on past episodes on our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/495ZqtX.
RPL is available across major platforms, including Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
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Spotify iconDid you miss the recent Red Planet Live Episode?
• May 21, 2026 - MTI Episode featuring several startups in the Mars Technology Institute.
Mars Exploration News — Recent Highlights
The Moon Is Just Practice: How Lunar Breakthroughs Will Transform Mars
A recent article from Red Planet Bound argues that the renewed global focus on the Moon—highlighted by Artemis II—is not a detour from Mars, but an essential stepping stone toward it. Technologies being tested through lunar exploration, including habitat construction, life-support systems, power generation, robotics, and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), are helping engineers validate the systems future astronauts will depend on to survive and thrive on the Red Planet. Lunar missions also provide critical experience in logistics, crew health, autonomy, and long-duration operations in a lower-risk environment closer to Earth.
Rather than slowing momentum toward Mars, the article makes the case that every breakthrough on the Moon increases the likelihood of sustainable human settlement beyond Earth. By refining technologies, operations, and mission planning today, lunar exploration is helping ensure humanity will be ready when the time comes to make the leap to Mars. Read more: The Moon Is Just Practice
New Atmospheric Discovery Reveals Mars Reacts to Solar Storms in Unexpected Ways
Scientists using NASA’s MAVEN spacecraft have discovered the first evidence of the Zwan-Wolf effect deep within the Martian atmosphere, a phenomenon previously observed only around Earth. Triggered during a major solar storm, the effect appears to squeeze and redistribute charged particles in Mars’ upper atmosphere—offering new insight into how solar activity interacts with the Red Planet. Researchers believe the phenomenon may normally occur at levels too subtle to detect, but was amplified during the storm, revealing a new layer of Martian atmospheric physics. The discovery could improve our understanding of how Mars lost much of its atmosphere over time and help scientists better predict the effects of space weather on future robotic and human missions to Mars. Read more: Mars reveals first Zwan-Wolf effect deep in its atmosphere during a solar storm
On to Mars!
Thank you for reading this edition of Red Planet Pulse. As humanity continues to take meaningful steps toward becoming a multi-planet species, we are grateful to have you as part of a growing global community dedicated to advancing the exploration and settlement of Mars.
Whether through chapter activities, outreach, education, advocacy, research, or simply sharing the excitement of space exploration with others, every member plays an important role in helping move our mission forward. We encourage you to share this newsletter with friends, colleagues, students, and fellow space enthusiasts who may be inspired to join us on the journey.
Not yet a member? Please consider joining today and helping us build humanity’s future on Mars. The Mars Society is the world’s largest and most influential space advocacy organization dedicated to the human exploration and settlement of the Red Planet.
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Copyright (C) 2026 The Mars Society, Inc.. All rights reserved. You are receiving this you joined the Mars Society or gave us your email address.Our mailing address is:
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New Mars Forums Mailer
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Wed, Jul 8 at 2:04 PM
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MARS SOCIETY ANNOUNCEMENTHow AI Could Shape Humanity’s Future: Join Dex Hunter-Torricke on Red Planet Live
Join us for a special early edition of Red Planet Live on
Tuesday, July 21, at 3:00 PM PDT—two hours earlier than our usual start time.
Hosted by Ashton Zeth, this episode features Dex Hunter-Torricke, one of the world’s leading experts on artificial intelligence and the technology industry.
As Founder and President of The Center for Tomorrow, a global nonprofit focused on preparing society for the transformative impact of AI, Dex brings nearly two decades of experience at the highest levels of technology and innovation. His career has included leading communications for SpaceX, working directly with Elon Musk, serving as head of executive communications for Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook, becoming Google’s first executive speechwriter for Eric Schmidt, and most recently overseeing global communications and marketing for Google DeepMind, where he helped launch the Gemini AI system.
During our 60-minute RPL program, Dex will discuss the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, its far-reaching implications for society, and how these advances could influence the future of space exploration and humanity’s journey to Mars.
We invite you to register for this exciting Red Planet Live show and join us for what promises to be a fascinating discussion.
The Mars Society
Our mailing address is:
1100 Johnson Road, Suite 18257
Golden, CO 80402 U.S.A.
www.marssociety.org
https://www.facebook.com/TheMarsSociety
@TheMarsSocietyCopyright © 2026 The Mars Society, Inc., All rights reserved.
You are receiving this you joined the Mars Society or gave us your email address.
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