Bill Nye | The Planetary Society

Bill Nye is The Planetary Society’s Chief Ambassador. He also served as CEO from 2010 to 2026, providing vision and guidance, leading key organizational decision making, and serving as the public face of The Society.

Along with serving as Chief Ambassador of the world’s largest independent space interest group, Nye is also an internationally renowned and award-winning science educator, television presenter, mechanical engineer, science advocate, and author. He is best known as the host of the PBS children’s science show Bill Nye the Science Guy, and for his many subsequent appearances in popular media as a science educator and advocate.

Nye joined The Planetary Society as a charter member when the organization was founded in 1980 and deepened his involvement over time. He joined the Board of Directors in 2005, taking on the role of President of the Board, and was elected to the position of CEO in 2010 serving until 2026. In 2026 he became Chief Ambassador and Vice Chairman of the Board.

After earning a degree in mechanical engineering at Cornell University, Nye spent more than 20 years working as an engineer for the Boeing Corporation, Sundstrand Data Control (now Honeywell), and other engineering firms in the Seattle area. Drawing on his strengths in science and comedy, Nye went on to create, write, produce, and host the Emmy award-winning television show Bill Nye the Science Guy between 1993 and 1998. He continued his work in television with The Eyes of Nye in 2005 and Bill Nye Saves The World in 2017 and 2018. A documentary film about his life’s work, Bill Nye: Science Guy, was released in 2017 to critical acclaim.

Nye has authored several books, including the New York Times Bestseller Undeniable, Unstoppable, and Everything All at Once. In addition to his many other activities, he travels the world and appears on television on a regular basis, sharing his views on the importance of science and space exploration, and inspiring people of all ages to change the world for the better.

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A new way to travel space - with Bill Nye Did you know there's a way for spacecraft to travel farther, faster, and maybe one day reach other stars? Bill Nye is here to teach you about the game-changing technology called solar sailing.

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