The Planetary Society

The Planetary Society is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that aims to support and promote the exploration of the solar system and the search for extraterrestrial life.

The organization was founded in 1980 by Carl Sagan, Bruce Murray and Louis Friedman and has about 100,000 members in more than 125 countries. It has its headquarters in Pasadena, California.

It is funded by membership dues to investigate novel technologies, such as the use of solar sails as a space drive with the probe Cosmos 1, and operates public relations and lobbying in support of space activities.

Membership allows free admission to the German Museum in Munich.