US cuts risk NOAA satellite gap and Artemis doubts

NOAA keeps four geostationary weather satellites in orbit, two of which are working and two are spares. The satellites fly about 22,236 miles (35,785 km) above the equator and watch more than half the world. They help forecast hurricanes, track smoke and dust, plan flight routes and warn of lightning. The agency planned to replace the GOES‑R series with a new set called GeoXO. The original GeoXO design called for six satellites and five instruments and would cost about $19.6 billion over its life.

The Department of Commerce cut the plan. The new GeoXO will have four satellites, two instruments and a life‑cycle cost of $13 billion. The cuts remove three instruments: an upgraded lightning mapper, an ocean‑color sensor and an atmospheric‑composition monitor. A government audit report says these changes could leave the U.S. with less ability to warn about storms and to monitor air quality. The report also warns that the first GeoXO launch is set for 2032, which might leave a gap in continuous satellite data.

Risk to satellite data continuity

Polish Deputy Minister of Development and Technology Michał Jaros said that uncertainty in U.S. budget and politics could hurt long‑term planning for space projects. He said that NASA’s Artemis programme lacks transparency about how it is funded and about costs for partners. The minister said that programs run directly by NASA are very expensive and hard for other countries to join. He also said Poland would keep working closely with the European Space Agency and focus on the Argonaut lunar lander.

The Argonaut lander is being built by ESA to give Europe independent access to the moon. It can carry up to 1,500 kilograms of cargo, including experiments, rovers and other equipment. In January 2025 ESA awarded a €862 million contract to a consortium led by Thales Alenia Space to build the lander’s descent part. ESA plans to launch the first Argonaut mission in 2030.