Execute a balanced science program based on discipline-specific guidance from the national academies of sciences engineering and medicine administration priorities and direction from congress

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center awarded the University of California, Berkeley $246,757 under the NASA Science program (CFDA 43.001) on October 1, 2025, to conduct research on production mechanisms for suprathermal ions in the Martian ionosphere. The research team will advance discovery in planetary science aligned with NASA's exploration initiative focusing on scientific research of and from the Moon, lunar orbit, Mars, and beyond, with work executed according to discipline-specific guidance from the National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine.

Performance runs through September 30, 2028, with work conducted in Berkeley, California. The Catholic University of America participates as a sub-recipient, with Dr. Hassanali Akbari serving as Co-Investigator and leading the analysis of wave data. The sub-award to the Catholic University of America was issued on December 19, 2025.

Participate as a key partner and enabler in the agencys exploration initiative focusing on scientific research of on and from the moon lunar orbit mars and beyond. Advance discovery in emerging fields by identifying and exploiting cross disciplinary opportunities between traditional science disciplines develop a directorate-wide target-user focused approach to applied programs including earth science applications space weather planetary defense and space situational awareness.