Earth Science
NASA drops plans to fly Earth science instrument as commercial hosted payload
An Earth science instrument selected by NASA several years ago to fly as a hosted payload on a commercial communications satellite may instead fly on a standalone spacecraft because of a lack of hosting opportunities.
New NASA chief scientist to focus on climate change
NASA has hired a climate scientist as its new chief scientist, a move that reflects the greater emphasis the agency is placing on climate change studies.
NASA and ESA sign agreement on climate science cooperation
NASA and the European Space Agency have agreed to cooperate on future Earth science missions and related activities in an effort to better understand climate change.
NASA requests $24.8 billion in 2022, proposes to cancel SOFIA again
NASA released its fiscal year 2022 budget request May 28, asking for $24.8 billion to support a number of new and existing science and exploration programs but also proposing once again to cancel an airborne astronomical observatory.
NASA brands future Earth science missions as Earth System Observatory
A set of missions recommended by the Earth science decadal survey more than three years ago will be developed under a program called the Earth System Observatory, NASA and the White House announced May 24.
Private sector seeks bigger role in NASA Earth science programs
Companies and organizations used a House hearing May 18 to advocate for a larger role in NASA’s Earth science programs, arguing their capabilities can complement NASA spacecraft.
Biden administration proposes $24.7 billion budget for NASA in 2022
The White House released a first look at its budget proposal for fiscal year 2022 that includes an increase in funding for NASA, particularly Earth science and space technology programs.
Op-ed | NASA Earth Science to “Meet the Moment”
While legacy aerospace companies come to mind when we think of NASA and industry, an entirely new business community stands to directly benefit from NASA engagement.
General Atomics selects Firefly to launch NASA Earth science instrument
General Atomics selected Firefly Aerospace to launch a small Earth science satellite for NASA on an Alpha rocket in 2022.
NASA creates climate adviser position
NASA has established a new position of senior climate adviser within the agency, the first sign of a long-expected new emphasis on climate science within the agency under the Biden administration.
Falcon 9 launches Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich ocean science satellite
A SpaceX Falcon 9 successfully launched Nov. 21 the latest in a series of satellites developed by the United States and Europe to track rising sea levels.
Small satellites’ growing role in Earth science
How NASA’s InVEST program is yielding big dividends for future Earth-observing missions
Cubesat demonstrates Earth science instrument
A cubesat launched earlier this year has successfully tested a version of an instrument that will fly on a larger NASA mission in development.
New NASA Earth science director outlines challenges to implementing decadal survey
The new director of NASA’s Earth science division says identifying ways to implement an “ambitious” decadal survey amid various challenges will be a top priority for her.
NASA hires NOAA official as new Earth science director
NASA has selected an official with NOAA’s satellite division to lead its Earth science programs, a search that took more than a year to complete.
Budget constraints to delay start of NASA Earth science Explorer program
Limited budgets will force NASA to delay implementation of one major recommendation from an Earth science decadal survey for a smaller class of missions.
Earth science mission named after former NASA official
NASA and its domestic and European partners have renamed an upcoming Earth science satellite after the agency’s former Earth science director.
Decommissioned Earth science satellite to remain in orbit for centuries
A U.S.-European satellite that completed its mission earlier this month has been decommissioned but will remain in orbit for as long as 1,000 years, far beyond existing orbital debris mitigation guidelines.
Ball and SSL win study contracts for methane emission tracking satellite
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) has awarded contracts to Ball Aerospace and Space Systems Loral to develop designs for a privately funded satellite to track methane emissions.
NASA moving forward on implementing Earth science decadal survey recommendations
Nearly a year after the release of the latest decadal survey for the field, the head of NASA’s Earth science program says the agency is making good progress in implementing its recommendations.
