NASA Selects Two Earth System Explorers Missions

Why It Matters

The data will bolster disaster preparedness and climate monitoring while informing NASA’s Artemis and Mars initiatives.

Key Takeaways

• STRIVE offers unprecedented vertical atmospheric resolution.
• EDGE advances 3‑D ecosystem and ice topography mapping.
• Both missions support longer‑range weather forecasting.
• Funding capped at $355 million per mission.
• Launch slated for 2030 after 2027 review.

Pulse Analysis

NASA’s Earth System Explorers (ESE) program has long served as a catalyst for innovative, investigator‑led satellite missions that address pressing planetary challenges. By selecting the STRIVE and EDGE missions, the agency reinforces its commitment to high‑resolution Earth observation at a time when climate variability and extreme weather are intensifying. The program’s competitive, science‑driven model ensures that each mission aligns with national priorities, from disaster risk reduction to supporting the broader goals of the Artemis lunar program and future Mars exploration. This strategic alignment amplifies the return on public investment in space science.

STRIVE—Stratosphere Troposphere Response using Infrared Vertically‑resolved Light Explorer—will deliver daily, near‑global measurements of temperature, aerosol properties, and trace gases from the upper troposphere through the mesosphere. Its high spatial density surpasses any prior mission, enabling more accurate modeling of atmospheric dynamics and extending weather forecasts beyond the traditional 7‑day window. In addition, vertical ozone and trace‑gas profiles will improve assessments of ozone layer recovery, a critical metric for ultraviolet radiation exposure. The mission’s data stream is poised to become a cornerstone for coastal‑community resilience and climate‑adaptation planning.

EDGE—Earth Dynamics Geodetic Explorer—focuses on three‑dimensional mapping of terrestrial ecosystems, glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice, delivering a leap in precision over existing assets such as ICESat‑2 and GEDI. By quantifying subtle changes in topography and ice mass, EDGE will inform navigation routes, infrastructure development, and commercial shipping corridors in polar regions. Moreover, its ecosystem observations will aid biodiversity assessments and carbon‑cycle modeling, linking terrestrial health to global climate systems. With a capped budget of $355 million per mission and a target launch after a 2027 review, EDGE exemplifies cost‑effective, high‑impact Earth science.