Welcome to this week's NASA update. The big headline: NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission has successfully splashed down off the coast of Florida, marking the end of an extended stay on the International Space Station for some crew members.
On Tuesday, March 18th, NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned to Earth after their mission aboard the ISS. For Williams and Wilmore, this concluded an unexpectedly long 286-day stay in space due to issues with their original Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro commented, "The safe return of Crew-9 demonstrates the continued success of our commercial crew program and the resilience of our astronauts."
This splashdown comes just days after the arrival of Crew-10, who docked with the ISS on March 15th. The quick turnaround highlights NASA's commitment to maintaining a continuous human presence in low Earth orbit.
In other news, NASA is preparing to submit its Agency RIF and Reorganization Plan to the White House this week. This comes in response to a February executive order from President Trump requiring all agencies to prepare for potential staff reductions and restructuring.
While details are not yet public, there's speculation about significant changes, including the possibility of moving NASA headquarters out of Washington D.C. Acting Associate Administrator Vanessa Wyche stated, "We're carefully evaluating all options to ensure NASA remains at the forefront of space exploration while maximizing efficiency."
These potential changes are occurring against the backdrop of ongoing budget discussions. A bipartisan NASA authorization bill introduced in the Senate proposes a $25.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2025, a slight increase from the previous year. The bill also emphasizes continued support for the Artemis program and maintaining a human presence in low Earth orbit.
For the space industry and science community, these developments signal both opportunities and challenges. Dr. Ellen Stofan, former NASA chief scientist, noted, "The proposed budget increase is encouraging, but potential reorganization could disrupt ongoing research and partnerships."
Looking ahead, all eyes will be on the release of NASA's reorganization plan and the upcoming launch of the Soyuz MS-27 mission on April 8th, which will bring NASA astronaut Jonny Kim to the ISS.
For more information on these stories and to stay updated on NASA's activities, visit nasa.gov. And remember, public comments on NASA's strategic plan are always welcome through their website. Stay curious, space enthusiasts!