NASA's Interstellar Comet, Crewed Missions, and Science Funding Updates

The headline grabbing the world's attention this week is NASA’s discovery of an interstellar comet, designated 3I/ATLAS, now making its way through our solar system. Detected on July 1 by NASA’s ATLAS survey telescope in Chile, this rare visitor from beyond our solar neighborhood is capturing global scientific interest. According to NASA’s Planetary Defense blog, the comet poses no threat to Earth, and researchers are racing to study its physical properties as it approaches perihelion in late October, offering a unique opportunity to learn about materials formed around other stars.

NASA is also preparing for the launch of its 11th crew rotation mission with SpaceX, continuing international cooperation aboard the International Space Station. Media briefings are scheduled from Johnson Space Center this Thursday. Astronaut Anil Menon is slated for his first mission as Expedition 75 crew member, highlighting NASA’s ongoing commitment to human spaceflight partnerships.

Policy headlines this week revolve around the budget. The U.S. House Appropriations Committee advanced a bill for fiscal year 2025, granting NASA a modest 1% increase. However, this boost falls short of the White House’s request and fails to keep pace with inflation, putting pressure on NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. While flagship programs like Artemis and NEO Surveyor receive full funding, smaller science initiatives may face delays or cuts. The President’s budget request for NASA stands at $25.4 billion, with $7.6 billion earmarked for deep space exploration and $7.3 billion for science, but divisions such as Discovery and New Frontiers could see significant impacts. The American Astronomical Society notes that several science agencies face even steeper cuts, raising concerns about layoffs and the future of foundational research.

For American citizens, these developments mean NASA’s focus will continue on critical crewed flights and high-profile science, but opportunities for smaller innovations may shrink. Businesses involved in NASA contracts—especially in robotics, spacecraft, and research—should prepare for shifting priorities. State and local governments hosting NASA centers may feel the effects of budget-driven changes in employment and project scope. International partners remain closely involved in ISS operations, and the discovery of 3I/ATLAS offers a moment for global scientific cooperation.

Quoting astronaut Nichole Ayers, who this week photographed a rare “sprite” lightning phenomenon from the ISS, “We have a great view above the clouds, so scientists can use these types of pictures to better understand the formation, characteristics, and relationship of TLEs to thunderstorms.” This underscores NASA’s ongoing contributions to both space and Earth science.

Looking ahead, listeners should watch for updates from Thursday’s ISS crew rotation briefings, the continued study of 3I/ATLAS, and any Senate developments regarding leadership changes at NASA. For more information, visit NASA’s official website or follow @NASA on social media. If you’re passionate about space policy, consider reaching out to your representatives to voice support for science funding.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
The headline grabbing the world's attention this week is NASA's
discovery of an interstellar comet designated three I eight LAS nine,
now making its way through our Solar system. Detected on
July first by NASA's at Last SERVILEARDA Zavia del is
capturing global scientific interest. According to NASA's Planetary Defense Blog,

(00:20):
the comet poses no threat to Earth, and researchers are
racing to study its physical properties as it approaches perihelion
in late October, offering a unique opportunity to learn about
materials formed around other stars. NASA is also preparing for
the launch of its eleventh crew rotation mission with SpaceX,
continuing international cooperation aboard the International Space Station. Media briefings

(00:43):
are scheduled from Johnson's Space Center. This Thursday. Astronaut on
el Menin is slated for his first mission as Expedition
seventy five crew member, highlighting NASA's ongoing commitment to human
spaceflight partnerships. Policy headlines this week revolve around the budget.
The US House Appropriations Committee of the Advanced to Bill
for fiscal year twenty twenty five, granting NASA a modest

(01:03):
one percent increase However, this boost falls short of the
White House's request and fails to keep pace with inflation,
putting pressure on massa's Science Mission Directorate. While flagship programs
like Artemis and Neo Surveyor receive full funding, smaller science
initiatives may face delays or cuts. The President's budget request
for NASA stands at twenty five dollars and four cents,

(01:27):
with seven dollars and six cents earmarked for deep space
exploration and seven dollars and three cents for science, but
divisions such as Discovery and New Frontiers could see significant impacts.
The American Astronomical Society notes that several science agencies face
even steeper cuts, raising concerns about layoffs and the future
of foundational research for American citizens. These developments mean NASA's

(01:51):
focus will continue on critical crude flights and high profile science,
but opportunities for smaller innovations may shrink. Businesses involved in
NASA contracts, especially in robotics, spacecraft, and research, should prepare
for shifting priorities. State and local governments hosting NASA centers
may feel the effects of budget driven changes in employment

(02:12):
and project scope. International partners remain closely involved in ISS
operations and the discovery of three IAT last. Dez offers
a moment for global scientific cooperation, quoting astronaut Nicole Ayres,
who this week photographed a rare sprite lightning phenomenon from
the ISS. We have a great view above the clouds,

(02:32):
so scientists can use these types of pictures to better
understand the formation, characteristics, and relationship of tls to thunderstorms.
This underscores NASA's ongoing contributions to both space and Earth science.
Looking ahead, listeners should watch for updates from Thursday's ISS
crew rotation briefings, the continued study of three IAT last nine,

(02:55):
and any senate developments regarding leadership changes at NASA. For
more more information, visit NASA's official website or follow it
NASA on social media. If you're passionate about space policy,
consider reaching out to your representatives to voice support for
science funding. Thanks for tuning in, don't forget to subscribe
for weekly updates on NASA and how space policy shapes

(03:17):
our world. This has been a quiet Please production. For more,
check out Quiet Please dot ai