Week in images: 30 June - 4 July 2025

Discover our week through the lens

The ESS satellites are central to U.S. nuclear command, control and communications

Using data from ESA’s SMOS satellite, scientists have revealed a surprising shift in the Southern Ocean – surface waters around Antarctica are growing saltier, even as sea ice is diminishing rapidly. This finding defies the norm because melting ice typically freshens ocean surface water.

The implications are far-reaching as changes in this remote region can disrupt global ocean currents, affect climate patterns, and alter ecosystems far beyond the Antarctic.

Congress approved a budget reconciliation bill that includes nearly $10 billion for NASA human spaceflight programs and could also lead to the transfer of a space shuttle to Houston.

Astronomers have confirmed the discovery of a rare celestial visitor: a comet from beyond our Solar System.

Officially named 3I/ATLAS, this newly identified interstellar object is only the third of its kind ever observed, following the famous 1I/ʻOumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019.