National Aeronautics and Space Administration   (NASA) News

• NASA Update: Lunar Landing, Budget Outlook, and Solar Eclipse Insights

  Welcome to NASA Update, your weekly dive into the latest from America's space agency. I'm your host, Sarah Johnson.This week, NASA's Intuitive Machines IM-2 mission successfully launched to the Moon, carrying vital science and technology demonstrations as part of the agency's CLPS initiative and Artemis campaign. The lunar lander, which took off on February 26th aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, is set to touch down on March 6th in the Moon's South Pole region.NASA acting Administrator Janet Petro emphasized the significance of this mission, stating, "These science and technology demonstrations are more than payloads – they represent the foundation for future explorers who will live and work on the Moon."In budget news, the White House has proposed $25.4 billion for NASA in fiscal year 2025, a modest 2% increase from the previous year. This budget, while an increase, falls short of earlier projections due to spending caps passed by Congress in 2023. The proposal includes flat or modest cuts to most NASA directorates, creating challenges for ongoing projects and future planning.Looking ahead, NASA's Kennedy Space Center is gearing up for a busy 2025, with plans for over 90 government, commercial, and private missions to launch from Florida's Space Coast. Center Director Janet Petro expressed excitement about the upcoming year, saying, "We have an amazing workforce, and when we join forces with industry and our other government partners, even the sky is no limit to what we can accomplish."In leadership news, Vanessa Wyche has been appointed as NASA's acting associate administrator, moving from her previous role as director of Johnson Space Center in Houston. This change signals a continued focus on diversity and experienced leadership within the agency.For space enthusiasts and citizen scientists, NASA has launched a new six-part podcast series called "Sun + Eclipse" to prepare listeners for the total solar eclipse on April 8th. This series offers insights from NASA experts and firsthand accounts from eclipse chasers, making space science accessible to all.As we look to the future, NASA continues to push the boundaries of exploration and scientific discovery. The agency's efforts in lunar exploration, climate science, and partnerships with private industry are shaping the next era of space exploration and technological innovation.For more information on NASA's latest projects and how you can get involved, visit nasa.gov. This has been NASA Update. I'm Sarah Johnson, reminding you to keep looking up and dreaming big.

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• NASA Update: Launching into 2025 - Kennedy Preps for 90+ Missions, Budget Outlook, Crew Flights, Solar Flare Risks

  Welcome to NASA Update, your weekly dive into the latest from America's space agency. I'm your host, and we've got an exciting show for you today.Our top story: NASA's Kennedy Space Center is gearing up for a thrilling 2025, with plans for over 90 government, commercial, and private missions launching from Florida's Space Coast. Center Director Janet Petro says, "The next year promises to be another exciting one at Earth's premier spaceport. We have an amazing workforce, and when we join forces with industry and our other government partners, even the sky is no limit to what we can accomplish."In budget news, the White House has proposed $25.4 billion for NASA in fiscal year 2025, a modest 2% increase over 2024. This budget aims to maintain NASA's leadership in space exploration and climate science while advancing U.S. space industry technology. However, it's worth noting that this figure is less than originally planned due to spending caps passed by Congress in 2023.The Commercial Crew Program is set for a busy year, with two crew rotation missions to the International Space Station planned: NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 and Crew-11. Dana Hutcherson, CCP deputy program manager, emphasizes the importance of these missions, stating, "This is the 25th year of crewed operations for the space station, and we know that with every launch, we are sustaining a critical national asset and enabling groundbreaking research."In science news, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured a powerful X2-class solar flare on February 23, 2025. These intense bursts of energy can impact radio communications, electric power grids, and navigation signals, posing risks to spacecraft and astronauts.Looking ahead, NASA continues to focus on the Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the Moon and eventually send astronauts to Mars. The agency is also enhancing its climate science initiatives and investing in cutting-edge aeronautics research.For space enthusiasts, mark your calendars for an upcoming planetary parade in February 2025. Details on when and where to view this celestial spectacle will be available on NASA's website.As we wrap up, remember that NASA's work impacts all of us, from advancing scientific understanding to inspiring the next generation of explorers. To stay informed about NASA's latest developments and opportunities for public engagement, visit nasa.gov or follow @NASA on social media.That's all for this week's NASA Update. Until next time, keep looking up and dreaming big!

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• Artemis II milestone, workforce changes, budget caps - NASA's latest developments

  Welcome to our latest podcast on NASA's recent developments. This week, the most significant headline comes from Janet Petro, NASA's Administrator, who shared an exciting milestone in the Artemis II mission. The stacking of the Space Launch System's twin solid rocket boosters at Kennedy Space Center brings us one step closer to launch[1].Looking ahead, NASA has a busy couple of weeks. Next week, they're set to launch SPHEREx, PUNCH, and the Intuitive Machines – 2 mission. The following week, they'll land on the Moon twice with Firefly's Blue Ghost Mission One and IM-2. These missions are crucial for advancing our understanding of space and the universe[1][4].On the policy front, NASA is implementing changes to its workforce. About 5% of NASA's workforce accepted a resignation offer and will transition to administrative leave. Additionally, all employees are expected to report full-time in-person to a NASA center or facility by February 28, with some time-limited exceptions approved[1].Budget allocations are also a topic of interest. The White House proposed $25.4 billion for NASA in 2025, a modest 2% increase over 2024. However, this is far less than originally planned due to spending caps passed by Congress in 2023. These caps create a zero-sum game between federal agencies, impacting NASA's spending priorities[5].These developments have significant impacts on American citizens, businesses, and state and local governments. For instance, the PUNCH mission will provide new information about solar events, potentially leading to more accurate predictions about space weather events that could impact our daily lives[4].As Janet Petro noted, "I want to take a moment to recognize your dedication and the work that keeps NASA moving forward." This dedication is crucial for advancing our understanding of space and its impacts on our planet.Next steps to watch include the upcoming launches and the continued implementation of workforce changes. For more information, visit NASA's official website. If you're interested in staying updated on NASA's latest developments, consider following their social media channels.That's all for today. Thank you for tuning in to our podcast on NASA's latest news and developments. Stay curious about space and its wonders.

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• NASA Missions and Partnerships Soar in 2025

  Welcome to the Curious Universe podcast, where we dive into the latest news and developments from NASA. This week, we're excited to share with you some significant updates from the agency.First off, let's talk about the most significant headline: NASA and SpaceX are gearing up for the launch of the SPHEREx and PUNCH missions on February 28. These missions aim to explore the universe in unprecedented ways. SPHEREx will delve into the first second after the Big Bang and search for key ingredients for life in our galaxy, while PUNCH will observe the Sun's corona as it transitions into the solar wind[1].This launch is part of NASA's ambitious plan for 2025, which includes several other missions such as the Europa Clipper, Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER), and the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe. These missions are crucial for advancing our understanding of the universe and its many mysteries[2].In terms of policy changes and budget allocations, NASA's Science division is set to receive $7.6 billion in FY 2025, a decrease of $229.3 million from the FY 2023 enacted level. Despite this, the agency is committed to restructuring missions within the Earth System Observatory and expanding suborbital or orbital demonstrations[2].On the partnership front, NASA is working closely with industry partners like SpaceX and Boeing. The Commercial Crew Program, based out of Kennedy Space Center, is planning two crew rotation missions to the International Space Station in 2025. This collaboration is crucial for sustaining a critical national asset and enabling groundbreaking research[4].As Janet Petro, Kennedy Center Director, puts it, "The next year promises to be another exciting one at Earth’s premier spaceport. We have an amazing workforce, and when we join forces with industry and our other government partners, even the sky is no limit to what we can accomplish."Looking ahead, citizens can engage with NASA's missions by tuning into the live launch broadcast of SPHEREx and PUNCH on February 28, streaming on NASA+. For more information, visit the NASA website.That's all for today's episode. Stay curious and keep looking up!Resources:- NASA's SPHEREx Mission: https://blogs.nasa.gov/spherex/- NASA's FY 2025 Mission Fact Sheets: https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/nasa-fiscal-year-2025-mission-fact-sheets.pdf- NASA's Kennedy Space Center: https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/kennedy/nasa-kennedy-looks-to-thrive-in-2025/

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• NASA's 2025 Shakeup: Personnel Changes and Budget Allocations Shaping Space Exploration

  Welcome to our latest podcast on NASA's latest news and developments. This week, we're focusing on significant personnel actions and budget allocations that are shaping the future of space exploration.According to NASA sources, a major personnel action is expected to take place around February 21, 2025, though details remain scarce. This action is part of a broader task titled "OPM: Guidance on Probationary Periods, Administrative Leave, and Details," and is based on guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The action office is the Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO), and it follows previous tasks that identified employees on probationary periods and requested exemptions[1].Moving on to budget allocations, NASA's Fiscal Year 2025 budget provides $7.6 billion for Science, a $229.3 million decrease from the FY 2023 enacted level. Key achievements planned for FY 2025 include the launch of the Europa Clipper, Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER), and several other missions. The agency will also make final selections for the next Heliophysics Small Explorers mission, the first Earth System Explorers missions, and the first Astrophysics Probe mission[2].These budget allocations have significant impacts on various stakeholders. For American citizens, these missions represent a continued investment in space exploration and scientific research. For businesses and organizations, partnerships with NASA offer opportunities for innovation and growth. For state and local governments, NASA's activities contribute to economic development and job creation.As Janet Petro, Kennedy Center Director, noted, "The next year promises to be another exciting one at Earth’s premier spaceport. We have an amazing workforce, and when we join forces with industry and our other government partners, even the sky is no limit to what we can accomplish[5]."Looking ahead, NASA's Kennedy Space Center is set to thrive in 2025 with initiatives to maximize efficiency and reliability. The Commercial Crew Program (CCP) plans two crew rotation missions to the International Space Station, and continues working with Boeing toward certification of the Starliner system[5].For more information on NASA's latest developments, visit nasa.gov. Stay tuned for updates on the personnel action and budget allocations, and join us next time for more insights into the world of space exploration. Thank you for listening.

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