Welcome to our latest podcast on NASA's latest news and developments. This week, we're kicking off with a significant headline from the department: Firefly Aerospace has successfully launched 10 NASA science and technology instruments on the company’s first Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) delivery, marking a crucial step in the Artemis campaign[5].
As we delve into the details, it's clear that 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for NASA. The Kennedy Space Center is looking to thrive, with over 90 government, commercial, and private missions planned to launch from Florida’s Space Coast. This includes two crew rotation missions to the International Space Station with SpaceX, as well as the return of the Crew-9 mission and later Crew-10 during 2025[1].
But what does this mean for American citizens? According to Dana Hutcherson, deputy program manager for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, these operations are a testament to NASA’s workforce carefully planning and preparing to safely execute a vital string of missions that sustain a critical national asset and enable groundbreaking research[1].
On the budget front, the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 includes funding to invest in America and the American people, allowing NASA to continue advancing our understanding of Earth and space. This includes $1.2 billion for NASA’s space technology portfolio and $966 million in NASA’s aeronautics program to develop hybrid-electric jet engines and lightweight aircraft structures[3].
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasizes that an investment in NASA is an investment in America for the benefit of humanity. He notes that the budget will fund our nation’s abilities and leadership for the future of space exploration, scientific discovery, cutting-edge technology, climate data, and the next generation of aeronautics[3].
Looking ahead, we can expect more updates on the Artemis campaign, including the lunar landing in early March. Stay tuned to NASA’s Artemis blog for agency science and tech aboard Blue Ghost Mission 1 updates.
For more information, visit NASA’s official website. And if you're interested in staying up-to-date on the latest developments, be sure to follow NASA’s social media channels. Thanks for tuning in, and we'll see you next time.