• Dramatic 47% Cut to NASA's Science Budget Threatens Planetary Exploration

  • Apr 30 2025
  • Duración: 3 m
  • Podcast

Dramatic 47% Cut to NASA's Science Budget Threatens Planetary Exploration

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  • Resumen

  • The U.S. planetary science community faces a severe crisis as the White House is considering a dramatic 47% cut to NASA's science budget for fiscal year 2026. On April 11, NASA received budget guidance from the White House's Office of Management and Budget that outlined a 20% reduction to the agency's overall funding, with science programs bearing the brunt of the cuts.

    The proposed reductions would slash Earth Science by 53%, Planetary Science by 29%, Astrophysics by 68%, Heliophysics by 43%, and Biological and Physical Sciences by a staggering 83%. These cuts would force the cancellation of major missions including the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, Mars Sample Return, and the DAVINCI mission to Venus.

    In response to this budget proposal, more than 100 space advocacy groups, scientific organizations, and industry leaders united in opposition, sending a joint letter on April 30 warning that such cuts would cause "immediate and irreparable damage" to American space science. The letter highlights that these reductions would lead to premature termination of dozens of currently operating scientific spacecraft and abandonment of future missions, essentially wasting billions in taxpayer investments.

    Members of Congress have already spoken out against the proposal. Representatives Don Bacon and Judy Chu, co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Planetary Science Caucus, issued a joint statement on April 15 expressing their opposition to the cuts.

    This budget crisis comes during an otherwise eventful month for planetary science. On April 20, NASA's Lucy spacecraft successfully flew by asteroid 52246 Donaldjohanson, the second of 10 asteroids it will study during its mission. April 22 marked the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower, which was particularly visible this year due to minimal moonlight interference.

    The Planetary Society, which recently held its annual Day of Action in Washington D.C., is now mobilizing its members against the proposed budget cuts. Casey Dreier, Chief of Space Policy for The Planetary Society, emphasized that these cuts would not only harm NASA but would damage the domestic industrial base, scientific institutions, and weaken America's specialized space workforce.

    As April ends, the planetary science community remains focused on fighting these proposed cuts while continuing critical research and exploration of our solar system.
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