{"id":281952,"date":"2025-09-11T05:14:50","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T19:14:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/science-research\/earth-science\/the-earth-observer-editors-corner-july-september-2025\/"},"modified":"2025-09-11T05:14:50","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T19:14:50","slug":"the-earth-observer-editors-corner-july-september-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=281952","title":{"rendered":"The Earth Observer Editor\u2019s Corner: July\u2013September 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\">\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full flex-align-center bg-carbon-90 border-color-carbon-80 color-spacesuit-white\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"hds-secondary-nav-track\"><span>Explore This Section<\/span><svg width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-nav-track grid-container grid-container-extrawide padding-0 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-2 \">\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-menu-items\">\n<nav>\n<ul class=\"usa-nav__primary usa-accordion flex-justify-center margin-0\">\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\" rel=\"noopener\">Earth<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth-science\/the-earth-observer\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Earth Observer<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth-science\/the-earth-observer\/editors-corner\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Editor\u2019s Corner<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth-science\/the-earth-observer\/feature-articles\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Feature Articles<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth-science\/the-earth-observer\/meeting-summaries-2\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Meeting Summaries<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>News<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\n<ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth-science\/the-earth-observer\/news\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Science in the News<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth-science\/the-earth-observer\/meeting-and-workshop-calendars\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Calendars<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth-science\/the-earth-observer\/in-memoriam\/\" rel=\"noopener\">In Memoriam<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/announcements\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Announcements<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>More<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\n<ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth-science\/the-earth-observer\/archives\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Archives<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/conference-hyperwall-schedules\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Conference Schedules<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\"  href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/science-research\/earth-science\/style-guidelines-for-the-earth-observer-newsletter\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Style Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-editors-corner-banner.png\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1037\" height=\"81\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-editors-corner-banner.png?w=1037\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Editor's Corner header\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"eager\" srcset=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-editors-corner-banner.png 1037w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-editors-corner-banner.png?resize=300,23 300w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-editors-corner-banner.png?resize=768,60 768w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-editors-corner-banner.png?resize=1024,80 1024w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-editors-corner-banner.png?resize=400,31 400w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-editors-corner-banner.png?resize=600,47 600w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-editors-corner-banner.png?resize=900,70 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"padding-top-5 padding-bottom-3 width-full maxw-full hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-article-intro\">\n<div class=\"width-full maxw-full article-header\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2 width-full maxw-full\">\n<p class=\"label carbon-60 margin-0 margin-bottom-3 padding-0\">13 min read<\/p>\n<h1 class=\"display-48 margin-bottom-2\">The Earth Observer Editor\u2019s Corner: July\u2013September 2025<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-blackseparator-line.png\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1037\" height=\"24\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-blackseparator-line.png?w=1037\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Black Separator Line\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-blackseparator-line.png 1037w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-blackseparator-line.png?resize=300,7 300w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-blackseparator-line.png?resize=768,18 768w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-blackseparator-line.png?resize=1024,24 1024w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-blackseparator-line.png?resize=400,9 400w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-blackseparator-line.png?resize=600,14 600w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-blackseparator-line.png?resize=900,21 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>NOTE TO READERS:<\/strong> After more than three decades associated with or directly employed by NASA, <strong>Steve Platnick<\/strong> [GSFC\u2014<em>Deputy Director for Atmospheres, Earth Sciences Division<\/em>] stepped down effective August 8, 2025. Steve began his civil servant career at GSFC in 2002, but his GSFC association went back to 1993, first as a contractor and then as one of the earliest employees of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/jcet.umbc.edu\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology\u00a0<\/a>(JCET). During his time at NASA, Steve played an integral role in the sustainability and advancement of NASA\u2019s Earth Observing System platforms and data. He was actively involved in the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/modis.gsfc.nasa.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer<\/a> (MODIS) Science Team, where he helped advance several key components of the MODIS instrument. He was also the NASA Lead\/co-Lead for the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/eospso.nasa.gov\/missions\/suomi-national-polar-orbiting-partnership\" rel=\"noopener\">Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership\u00a0<\/a>(Suomi NPP), Atmosphere Discipline from 2012\u20132020 where he focused on operational cloud optical and microphysical products.<\/p>\n<p>In 2008, Steve became the Earth Observing System (EOS) Senior Project Scientist. In this role, he led the <a href=\"https:\/\/eospso.nasa.gov\/content\/nasas-earth-observing-system-project-science-office\" rel=\"noopener\">EOS Project Science Office<\/a> that supported airborne sensors, ground networks, and calibration labs. The Kudos article titled \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/science-research\/earth-science\/steve-platnick-steps-down-from-nasa-after-34-years-of-service\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Steve Platnick Steps Down from NASA After 34 Years of Service<\/a>\u201d includes a more detailed account of Steve\u2019s career and includes a list of awards he has received.<\/p>\n<p>Steve\u2019s departure leaves a vacancy in the author\u2019s chair for \u201cThe Editor\u2019s Corner\u201d \u2013 another role Steve filled as EOS Senior Project Scientist. <strong>Barry Lefer <\/strong>[NASA Headquarters\u2014<em>Associate Director of Research, Earth Science Division<\/em>] graciously agreed to serve as guest author of the editorial in the current compilation. I want to thank Steve for all his support for <em>The Earth Observer<\/em> over the years and thank Barry for stepping in as the author of \u201cThe Editor\u2019s Corner\u201d for the time being.<\/p>\n<p>\u2013<strong>Alan Ward<\/strong>, Executive Editor, <em>The Earth Observer<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-blackseparator-line.png\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1037\" height=\"24\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-blackseparator-line.png?w=1037\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Black Separator Line\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-blackseparator-line.png 1037w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-blackseparator-line.png?resize=300,7 300w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-blackseparator-line.png?resize=768,18 768w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-blackseparator-line.png?resize=1024,24 1024w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-blackseparator-line.png?resize=400,9 400w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-blackseparator-line.png?resize=600,14 600w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eo-blackseparator-line.png?resize=900,21 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1037px) 100vw, 1037px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>I begin this editorial with news of a successful Earth science launch. At 5:40 PM Indian Standard Time (IST), or 8:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), on July 30, 2025, the joint NASA\u2013Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Synthetic Aperture Radar, or NISAR, mission <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news-release\/nasa-isro-satellite-lifts-off-to-track-earths-changing-surfaces\/\" rel=\"noopener\">launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre <\/a>on India\u2019s southeastern coast\u00a0aboard an ISRO Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rocket 5. The ISRO ground controllers began communicating with NISAR about 20 minutes after launch, at just after 8:29 AM EDT, and confirmed it is operating as expected.<\/p>\n<p>NISAR will use two different radar frequencies (L-band SAR and S-band SAR) to penetrate clouds and forest canopies. Including L-band and S-band radars on one satellite is an evolution in SAR airborne and space-based missions that, for NASA, started in 1978 with the launch of Seasat. In 2012, ISRO began launching SAR missions starting with Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT-1), followed by RISAT-1A in 2022, to support a wide range of applications in India.<\/p>\n<p>Combining the data from these two radars will allow researchers to systematically and globally map Earth \u2013 measuring changes of our planet\u2019s surface down to a centimeter (~0.4 inches). With this detailed view, researchers will have an unprecedented ability to observe and measure complex processes from ecosystem disturbances to natural hazards to groundwater issues. All NISAR science data will be freely available and open to the public.<\/p>\n<p>Following the successful launch, NISAR entered an approximately 90-day commissioning phase to test out systems before science operations begin. A key milestone of that phase was the completion of the <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/blogs\/nisar\/2025\/08\/15\/giant-radar-antenna-reflector-on-nasa-isro-satellite-in-full-bloom\/\" rel=\"noopener\">deployment of the 39-ft (12-m) radar antenna reflector<\/a> on August 15 \u2013 see <strong>Video<\/strong>. The process began on August 9, when the satellite\u2019s boom, which had been tucked close to its main body, started unfolding one joint at a time until it was fully extended about four days later. The reflector assembly is mounted at the end of the boom. On August 15, small explosive bolts that held the reflector assembly in place were fired, enabling the antenna to begin a process called the<em> bloom<\/em> \u2013 its unfurling by the release of tension stored in its flexible frame while stowed like an umbrella. Subsequent activation of motors and cables pulled the antenna into its final, locked position.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NISAR's Record-Breaking Antenna Reflector Deployed in Space\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7fvTqm8Lt2U?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Video:<\/strong> NISAR mission team members at NASA JPL, working with colleagues in India, executed the deployment of the satellite\u2019s radar antenna reflector on Aug. 15, 2025. About 39 feet (12 meters) in diameter, the reflector directs microwave pulses from NISAR\u2019s two radars toward Earth and receives the return signals. <strong>Credit:<\/strong> NASA\/JPL-Caltech<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The radar reflector will be used to direct and receive microwave signals from the two radars. By interpreting the differences between the L-band and S-band measurements, researchers will be able to discern characteristics about the surface below. As NISAR passes over the same locations twice every 12 days, scientists can evaluate how those characteristics have changed over time to reveal new insights about Earth\u2019s dynamic surfaces.<\/p>\n<p>With the radar reflector now in full bloom, scientists have turned their attention to tuning and testing the radar and preparing NISAR for Science Operations, which are anticipated to start around the beginning of November. Congratulations to the NISAR team on a successful launch and deployment of the radar reflector. Along with the science community, I am excited to see what new discoveries will result from the data collected by the first Earth System Observatory mission.<\/p>\n<p>Turning now to news from active missions, the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission has collected over 10 years of global L-band radiometry observations that have resulted in surface soil moisture, vegetation optical depth (VOD), and freeze\/thaw state estimates that outperform past and current products. A decade of SMAP soil moisture observations has led to scientific achievements, including quantifying the linkages of the three main metabolic cycles (e.g., carbon, water, and energy) on land. The data have been widely used by the Earth system science community to improve drought assessments and flood prediction as well as the accuracy of numerical weather prediction models.<\/p>\n<p>SMAP\u2019s Early Adopter program has helped connect SMAP data with people and organizations that need it. The program has increased the awareness of SMAP mission products, broadened the user community, increased collaboration with potential users, improved knowledge of SMAP data product capabilities, and expedited the distribution and uses of mission products for a suite of 16 products available. For example, the L-band\u00a0VOD, which is related to water content in vegetation, is being used to better understand water exchanges in the soil\u2013vegetation\u2013atmosphere continuum.<\/p>\n<p>The SMAP Active\u2013Passive (AP) algorithm \u2013 based on data from SMAP and the European Copernicus Program Sentinel-1 C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) \u2013 will be adapted to work with L-band data from the newly launched NISAR mission. The result will be estimates of global soil moisture at a spatial resolution of 1 km (0.62 mi) or better approximately once per week.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, the data collected during the SMAP mission would be continued and further enhanced by the European Union\u2019s Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer\u00a0(CIMR) mission if it launches. This proposed multichannel microwave radiometry observatory includes L-band and four other microwave channels sharing a large mesh reflector \u2013 like the one used with SMAP. The plan calls for CIMR to follow a similar approach as SMAP for RFI detection and meet the instrument thermal noise and data latency of SMAP for next-mission desired characteristics.<\/p>\n<p>To learn more about what SMAP has accomplished see \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/science-research\/earth-science\/a-decade-of-global-water-cycle-monitoring-nasa-soil-moisture-active-passive-mission\/\" rel=\"noopener\">A Decade of Global Water Cycle Monitoring: NASA Soil Moisture Active Passive Mission<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/ocov2.jpl.nasa.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2<\/a> (OCO-2) has been the \u201cgold standard\u201d for atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2<\/sub>) observations from space for over a decade. The data returned from OCO-2 provide insights into plant health, forest management, forecasting crop yields, fire-risk models, and anticipating droughts.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ocov3.jpl.nasa.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\">OCO-3<\/a>, constructed from spare parts left after OCO-2, was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2019, where it has operated for over five years. OCO-3 extends the global CO<sub>2<\/sub> measurement record while adding new capabilities made possible by being on ISS (e.g., detailed views of urban and tropical regions).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The overarching OCO mission hasn\u2019t just about been about data and hardware. Although both those elements are parts of the story, the human stories woven through the mission\u2019s successes and setbacks are really what holds the mission together. The feature, \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/science-research\/earth-science\/a-tapestry-of-tales-10th-anniversary-reflections-from-nasas-oco-2-mission\/\" rel=\"noopener\">A Tapestry of Tales: 10<sup>th<\/sup> Anniversary Reflections from NASA\u2019s OCO-2 Mission<\/a>,\u201d sheds light on some of these personal stories from the OCO-2 and OCO-3 missions.<\/p>\n<p>The individual tales contained in this article reveal the grit and determination behind the scenes of the success of OCO-2 and OCO-3, from the anxiety and excitement surrounding the launch of OCO-2, to moments of fieldwork in the Nevada desert, to internships where wildfire responders turned to OCO-2 data to improve fire-risk models.\u00a0Taken together, these stories form a \u201ctapestry\u201d that reveals how the OCO-2 and OCO-3 missions continue to illuminate the dynamics of Earth\u2019s atmosphere \u2013 one breath at a time.<\/p>\n<p>These personal perspectives underscore that science is not just numbers; it\u2019s people pushing boundaries, navigating failure, and inspiring ways to make our planet safer and healthier. In a time such as this, this is an important reminder.<\/p>\n<p>The joint NASA\u2013U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/landsat-missions\" rel=\"noopener\">Landsat<\/a> program has been a cornerstone of Earth observation for over 50 years. On July 13, <a href=\"https:\/\/gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usgs.gov%2Flandsat-missions%2Fnews%2Fone-million-reasons-celebrate-landsat-9&#038;data=05%7C02%7Calan.b.ward%40nasa.gov%7C067115f9fe94454991d308dde5840344%7C7005d45845be48ae8140d43da96dd17b%7C0%7C0%7C638919077325962104%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&#038;%23038;sdata=NHkkCDpUla4%2B006Tm6n%2BdzfcClhJ5sK3SToEcOg5wDE%3D&#038;%23038;reserved=0\" rel=\"noopener\">Landsat 9 collected its millionth image:<\/a> a stunning shot of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska \u2013 see<strong> Figure<\/strong>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/landsat-missions\/landsat-9\" rel=\"noopener\">Landsat 9<\/a>, the most recent satellite in the Landsat series, orbits Earth alongside <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/landsat-missions\/landsat-8\" rel=\"noopener\">Landsat 8<\/a>. Together, these satellites collect invaluable data about Earth\u2019s changing land surface every eight days.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/earth-observer\/2025\/2025-summer\/editors-corner\/LC09_069011_20250713_654-labels-resize2.png?w=1440&#038;h=1447&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1447\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/earth-observer\/2025\/2025-summer\/editors-corner\/LC09_069011_20250713_654-labels-resize2.png?w=1440&#038;h=1447&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Summer 2025 Editor's Corner Image\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/earth-observer\/2025\/2025-summer\/editors-corner\/LC09_069011_20250713_654-labels-resize2.png?w=1440&#038;h=1447&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1440w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/earth-observer\/2025\/2025-summer\/editors-corner\/LC09_069011_20250713_654-labels-resize2.png?w=150&#038;h=151&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 150w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/earth-observer\/2025\/2025-summer\/editors-corner\/LC09_069011_20250713_654-labels-resize2.png?w=300&#038;h=301&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/earth-observer\/2025\/2025-summer\/editors-corner\/LC09_069011_20250713_654-labels-resize2.png?w=768&#038;h=772&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/earth-observer\/2025\/2025-summer\/editors-corner\/LC09_069011_20250713_654-labels-resize2.png?w=1019&#038;h=1024&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1019w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/earth-observer\/2025\/2025-summer\/editors-corner\/LC09_069011_20250713_654-labels-resize2.png?w=50&#038;h=50&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/earth-observer\/2025\/2025-summer\/editors-corner\/LC09_069011_20250713_654-labels-resize2.png?w=100&#038;h=100&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 100w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/earth-observer\/2025\/2025-summer\/editors-corner\/LC09_069011_20250713_654-labels-resize2.png?w=200&#038;h=201&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/earth-observer\/2025\/2025-summer\/editors-corner\/LC09_069011_20250713_654-labels-resize2.png?w=398&#038;h=400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 398w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/earth-observer\/2025\/2025-summer\/editors-corner\/LC09_069011_20250713_654-labels-resize2.png?w=597&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 597w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/earth-observer\/2025\/2025-summer\/editors-corner\/LC09_069011_20250713_654-labels-resize2.png?w=896&#038;h=900&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 896w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/earth-observer\/2025\/2025-summer\/editors-corner\/LC09_069011_20250713_654-labels-resize2.png?w=1194&#038;h=1200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1194w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\"><strong>Figure: <\/strong>This Landsat 9 image showing the Beaufort Sea shoreline off Alaska and Canada is just one of the scenes captured and processed on July 13, 2025\u2014 the same day the USGS EROS archive reached a milestone of one million Landsat 9 Level-1 products. This false color image was made with bands 6, 5, and 4 from the Operational Land Imager. This remote area allows the pristine wilderness environment to support a diverse wildlife and unique ecosystem that includes various species of mammals, birds, and fish. Landsat Level-1 products from Landsat 1 through Landsat 9 can be downloaded at no charge from a number of systems \u2013 visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/landsat-missions\/landsat-data-access\" rel=\"noopener\">Landsat Data Access<\/a> webpage to learn more.\u00a0<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\"><strong>Credit: <\/strong>Public Domain<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>After collecting more than 3.3 million images over the course of more than 26 years in orbit, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/landsat-missions\/landsat-7\" rel=\"noopener\">Landsat 7<\/a> was\u00a0decommissioned on June 4, 2025.\u00a0A <a href=\"https:\/\/landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov\/article\/a-planet-in-focus-landsat-7s-legacy\/\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube video<\/a> released at the time of decommissioning provides a concise visual summary of the Landsat 7 mission\u2019s achievements \u2013 and the technical challenges overcome. In addition, <em>The Earth Observer<\/em> did a feature for the 20<sup>th<\/sup> anniversary of Landsat 7 in the July\u2013August 2019 issue, called \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/earth-observer\/2019\/Jul_Aug_2019_final_color_508_0.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">The Living Legacy of Landsat 7: Still Going Strong After 20 Years in Orbit<\/a>\u201d [<strong>Volume 31<\/strong>, <strong>Issue 4<\/strong>, pp. 4\u201314] that is a useful resource to learn more about the history and achievements (through 20 years) of the mission.<\/p>\n<p>One of the strengths of the Landsat program is its potential for data integration with other satellites. The <a href=\"https:\/\/hls.gsfc.nasa.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2<\/a> (HLS) product exemplifies this collaborative approach by combining data from Landsat 8 and 9 with data from the European Space Agency\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.esa.int\/Applications\/Observing_the_Earth\/Copernicus\/Sentinel-2\" rel=\"noopener\">Copernicus Sentinel-2<\/a> A, B, and C missions. Whereas Landsat alone has a repeat time of eight days (i.e., combining Landsat 8 and 9 data); the combined HLS dataset provides imagery for the same location on Earth every 1.6 days \u2013 enabling researchers to monitor short-term changes in Earth\u2019s land surface much more effectively than using Landsat or Sentinel-2 data alone.<\/p>\n<p>HLS became one of the most-downloaded NASA data products in fiscal year 2024, with continued growth on the horizon. In February 2025, the program expanded with\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.earthdata.nasa.gov\/about\/nasa-support-snwg\/solutions\/global-hls-vi-solution\" rel=\"noopener\">nine new vegetation indices<\/a>\u00a0based on HLS data, with historical processing back to 2013 scheduled for completion by early 2026.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.earthdata.nasa.gov\/about\/nasa-support-snwg\/solutions\/low-latency-hls-products\" rel=\"noopener\">Low-latency HLS products<\/a>\u00a0will also be available in late 2026. For the full story of how HLS came to be \u2013 see the feature: \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/science-research\/earth-science\/harmonized-landsat-and-sentinel-2-collaboration-drives-innovation\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2: Collaboration Drives Innovation<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Following a 13-month hibernation, the <a href=\"https:\/\/gedi.umd.edu\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation<\/a> (GEDI) mission was reinstalled to its original location aboard the ISS and resumed operations on April 22, 2024. Since this storage period, GEDI\u2019s lasers have been operating nominally and the mission has continued to produce high-quality observations of the Earth\u2019s three-dimensional structure, amassing 33 billion land surface returns as of November 27, 2024.<\/p>\n<p>The mission team has been actively processing and releasing post-storage data to the public, with Version 2.1 \u2013 GEDI L1B, L2A, L2B, and L4A data products, which include data through November 2024, all available for download. The new L4C footprint-level Waveform Structural Complexity Index (WSCI) product using pre-storage data has also been released. Looking ahead, the team is preparing Version 3.0 (V3) of all data products, which will incorporate post-storage data while improving quality filtering, geolocation accuracy, and algorithm performance.<\/p>\n<p>The 2025 GEDI Science Team Meeting (STM) brought together the mission science team, competed science team, representatives from the distributed active archive centers (DAACs), collaborators, stakeholders, and data users. Notably, it marked the first in-person gathering of the second competed science team, who shared updates on their research projects. The STM held an important space for brainstorming, knowledge-sharing, and discussion as the GEDI mission continues to flourish in its second epoch. To learn more, see \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/science-research\/earth-science\/summary-of-the-2025-gedi-science-team-meeting\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Summary of the 2025 GEDI Science Team Meeting<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Shifting focus to the boreal forests of North America, the NASA <a href=\"https:\/\/above.nasa.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Arctic\u2013Boreal Vulnerability Experiment<\/a> (ABoVE) is now in its final year, marking the end of a decade-long scientific endeavor that has transformed our understanding of environmental change in Alaska and western Canada. This ambitious campaign, funded primarily by NASA\u2019s Terrestrial Ecology Program, has successfully progressed through three distinct phases: ecosystem dynamics (2015\u20132018), ecosystem services (2017\u20132022), and the current analysis and synthesis phase (2023\u2013present).<\/p>\n<p>As ABoVE approaches its conclusion, the program has grown to encompass 67 NASA-funded projects with over 1000 participating researchers \u2013 a testament to the collaborative scale required to address complex Arctic\u2013boreal ecosystem questions. The program\u2019s integrated approach, combining field research, airborne campaigns, and satellite remote sensing, has generated unprecedented insights into how environmental changes in these northern regions affect both vulnerable ecosystems and society.<\/p>\n<p>The recent 11<sup>th<\/sup> \u2013 and final \u2013 ABoVE Science Team Meeting was an opportunity to showcase the program\u2019s evolution from data collection to synthesis, highlighting successful community engagement initiatives, cutting-edge research on carbon dynamics and ecosystem responses, and innovative science communication strategies that have made this complex research accessible to diverse audiences. With synthesis activities now underway, ABoVE is positioned to deliver comprehensive insights that will inform Arctic and boreal research for years to come. To learn more, see \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/science-research\/earth-science\/summary-of-the-11th-above-science-team-meeting\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/science-research\/earth-science\/summary-of-the-11th-above-science-team-meeting\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Summary of the 11<sup>th<\/sup> and Final ABoVE Science Team Meeting<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Last but certainly not least, I want to both recognize and congratulate <strong>Compton J. Tucker<\/strong>\u00a0[GSFC\u2014<em>Senior Researcher<\/em>]. Compton retired from NASA in March 2025 after 48 years of public service, and then in April, was among 149 newly elected members to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) \u2013 which is one of the highest honors in American science.\u00a0This recognition from NAS brings Compton\u2019s career full circle. He came to GSFC as a NAS postdoc before joining NASA as a civil servant.\u00a0Compton is a pioneer in the field of satellite-based environmental analysis, using data from various Landsat\u00a0missions and from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration\u2019s (NOAA)\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.class.noaa.gov\/data_available\/avhrr\/index.htm\" rel=\"noopener\">Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer\u00a0(<\/a>AVHRR) instrument. His research has focused on global photosynthesis on land, determining land cover, monitoring droughts and food security, and evaluating ecologically coupled disease outbreaks.\u00a0The Kudos, \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/science-research\/earth-science\/compton-j-tucker-retires-from-nasa-and-is-named-nas-fellow\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Compton J. Tucker Retires from NASA and is Named NAS Fellow<\/a>,\u201d provides more details about Compton\u2019s research achievements and all of the other scientific awards and honors received throughout his career.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Barry Lefer<br \/>Associate Director of Research, Earth Science Division<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 nasa_template_article_a hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-credits-and-details\">\n<section class=\"padding-x-0 padding-top-5 padding-bottom-2 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-2 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Share<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-bottom-2\">\n<ul class=\"social-icons social-icons-round\">\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-x\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/tweet?via=NASA&#038;text=The%20Earth%20Observer%20Editor%E2%80%99s%20Corner%3A%20July%E2%80%93September%202025&#038;%23038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fscience.nasa.gov%2Fscience-research%2Fearth-science%2Fthe-earth-observer-editors-corner-july-september-2025%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on X.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"1200\" height=\"1227\" viewBox=\"0 0 1200 1227\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M714.163 519.284L1160.89 0H1055.03L667.137 450.887L357.328 0H0L468.492 681.821L0 1226.37H105.866L515.491 750.218L842.672 1226.37H1200L714.137 519.284H714.163ZM569.165 687.828L521.697 619.934L144.011 79.6944H306.615L611.412 515.685L658.88 583.579L1055.08 1150.3H892.476L569.165 687.854V687.828Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fscience.nasa.gov%2Fscience-research%2Fearth-science%2Fthe-earth-observer-editors-corner-july-september-2025%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook.\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 8h-3v4h3v12h5v-12h3.642l.358-4h-4v-1.667c0-.955.192-1.333 1.115-1.333h2.885v-5h-3.808c-3.596 0-5.192 1.583-5.192 4.615v3.385z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fscience.nasa.gov%2Fscience-research%2Fearth-science%2Fthe-earth-observer-editors-corner-july-september-2025%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on LinkedIn.\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M4.98 3.5c0 1.381-1.11 2.5-2.48 2.5s-2.48-1.119-2.48-2.5c0-1.38 1.11-2.5 2.48-2.5s2.48 1.12 2.48 2.5zm.02 4.5h-5v16h5v-16zm7.982 0h-4.968v16h4.969v-8.399c0-4.67 6.029-5.052 6.029 0v8.399h4.988v-10.131c0-7.88-8.922-7.593-11.018-3.714v-2.155z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-rss\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/feed\/\" aria-label=\"Subscribe to RSS feed.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 800 800\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M493 652H392c0-134-111-244-244-244V307c189 0 345 156 345 345zm71 0c0-228-188-416-416-416V132c285 0 520 235 520 520z\"\/><circle cx=\"219\" cy=\"581\" r=\"71\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Details<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Last Updated<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Sep 10, 2025<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black \">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Related Terms<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"article-tags\">\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Earth Science<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NOTE TO READERS: After more than three decades associated with or directly employed by NASA, Steve Platnick [GSFC\u2014Deputy Director for Atmospheres, Earth Sciences Division] stepped down effective August 8, 2025. Steve began his civil servant career at GSFC in 2002, but his GSFC association went back to 1993, first as a contractor and then as [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15600],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-281952","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-earth-science"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/281952","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=281952"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/281952\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":281957,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/281952\/revisions\/281957"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=281952"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=281952"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=281952"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}