NASA is moving forward with its work on a series of Earth System Observatory missions meant to carry out the five designated observables cited in the 2018 Earth science decadal survey. The activity is occurring amid the budget uncertainty the agency faces under a continuing resolution, SpaceNews reported Sunday.
The Atmosphere Observing System-Storm, AOS-Sky, Surface Biology and Geology and Mass Change, which is now called GRACE-Continuity, or GRACE-C, are the four Earth System Observatory missions that are in the development phase and are valued at approximately $3.5 billion.
Surface Deformation and Change is the fifth mission and is under the extended study phase.
Karen St. Germain, director of the Earth science division at NASA Headquarters, said the missions seek to answer a wide variety of Earth science-related queries and “to integrate observations, science and applications for societal benefit.”
For fiscal year 2024, NASA sought $287 million in funding for Earth System Observatory missions, which are expected to launch between the late 2020s and early 2030s, according to the report.
“We are counting on an increase to cover that development,” Germain said of the budget for the missions.
According to the NASA executive, several international partners will support the effort by providing spacecraft and other instruments worth $1.2 billion.
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