"NASA Advances Earth System Observatory Amid Budget Uncertainties"

NASA is advancing its Earth System Observatory project, a series of Earth science missions aligned with recommendations from the 2018 decadal survey, despite facing budget uncertainties. The project, which includes missions like AOS-Storm, AOS-Sky, Surface Biology and Geology, Mass Change (GRACE-C), and Surface Deformation and Change, aims to enhance Earth science research and societal applications. With an estimated cost of $3.5 billion for the first four missions, NASA is relying on international partnerships to maximize scientific returns per dollar. The agency's Earth science budget request for fiscal year 2024 is $2.47 billion, an increase from 2023, but actual funding is uncertain due to a spending cap and a continuing resolution holding funding at 2023 levels. NASA officials are advocating for community unity in supporting Earth science budgets amidst these financial challenges.