Listeners, the big headline out of NASA this week is the upcoming launch of three groundbreaking space weather missions, all hitching a ride together on a Falcon 9 rocket scheduled for no earlier than September 23. NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe, or IMAP, will explore how solar particles and cosmic rays affect the space just beyond Earth's atmosphere. Alongside it, NOAA's Space Weather Follow On – Lagrange 1 mission will boost our ability to monitor and forecast solar storms that can disrupt everything from power grids to GPS. Completing the trio, the Carruthers Geocorona Observatory will offer new views of Earth’s outermost atmospheric “halo,” helping scientists better understand our planet’s interface with space.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson called these launches a “game-changer for heliophysics,” underscoring their importance to everything from astronaut safety to critical national infrastructure. Joe Westlake, who leads NASA's Heliophysics Division, said in a press briefing, “Space weather affects us all—even if you never leave the ground. These missions will give us the eyes in space we’ve been missing to predict and respond.”

Meanwhile, policy and budget drama in D.C. continues to ripple through NASA’s priorities. According to the American Astronomical Society, Congress has passed a continuing resolution for the new fiscal year, keeping NASA’s funding flat for now while more permanent appropriations are hashed out. The Senate is debating long-term changes, but has so far held the line against steep proposed cuts to NASA’s science and technology programs. The White House had pushed for a $6 billion budget trim—most of it from scientific research—but the Senate and House appropriations both aim to keep NASA’s top-line budget close to last year’s levels, signaling strong bipartisan support for space exploration and science. The current authorization bill allocates over $25.5 billion for 2025, with notable increases in exploration and science programs.

Leadership at NASA is also in flux. President Trump recently withdrew the nomination of Jared Isaacman to serve as NASA Administrator, leaving the agency without a permanent chief as new lunar and Mars missions near critical development milestones. It could be months before a new leader is confirmed—a factor industry insiders warn could slow big decisions on crewed spaceflight and international partnerships.

So, what does all this mean on the ground? For American citizens, more accurate space weather forecasting means less risk to power outages and satellite disruption. Businesses—especially in telecommunications and energy—stand to gain from better early warnings, while states and local governments can prepare for geomagnetic events that might otherwise catch them off guard. Internationally, these missions strengthen NASA’s collaborative ties, with research and instrumentation contributions from Europe, Asia, and Canada.

Looking ahead, keep an eye on the rocket launch window set for later this month and the impending appointment of NASA’s next leader. Public comment periods on NASA’s evolving mission plans are still open on the agency’s official website, and NASA encourages all interested individuals and organizations to weigh in.

To find out more about these missions or to submit your feedback, visit NASA’s homepage or follow NASA science accounts on social platforms. As always, stay tuned for updates—we’ll be tracking outcomes from these launches and any breaking policy changes.

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