Planetary Science
The USGS and Artemis Mission Preparation
Testing Moon mission technologies in northern Arizona
Mars 2020 Mission
The Perseverance Rover Landing
A Martian Mystery, Climate Change, and Rivers of Lava
What three new USGS maps reveal about Mars
Working on Mars Time
A USGS scientist reflects on being a part of the Perseverance Rover team
Arizona Dunes in the Eyes of Planetary Science
USGS scientists investigate how dune processes work on other planets
Did you know the USGS also helps to explore the solar system? USGS scientists research other planetary bodies, and work with NASA to support planetary exploration throughout the solar system. Learn more about planetary science at the USGS below!
Planetary Science at the USGS
Planetary science is the study of planetary bodies beyond Earth. This includes planets, moons, comets, and asteroids. For over 60 years, planetary scientists at the USGS have worked with NASA to plan and complete missions, and use the data from those missions to better understand our solar system. USGS scientists work across many fields in planetary science - like studying how geologic processes work across the solar system, participating in rover missions, training astronauts to return to the Moon, making geologic maps of other planetary bodies, laboratory investigations of minerals and rocks, using computer modeling to simulate planetary processes, and processing mission data so other scientists can use it in their work.
Want to learn more about planetary science at the USGS? Check out these planetary science topics: