"Planetary Science Faces Uncertain Future: Advocates Rally to Protect NASA Funding"

In the United States, planetary science has faced an intense period of both public engagement and political uncertainty. On October 5 and 6, 2025, hundreds of advocates took part in a coordinated Day of Action across Washington DC as part of the Save NASA Science campaign, responding to proposed White House budget cuts targeting NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. The advocacy movement drew researchers, students, and supporters from thirty-eight states including both large urban centers and rural communities. Many had never before visited Capitol Hill, but chose to come at their own expense because of growing concern about the future of planetary science and space exploration in the country. Coverage from The Planetary Society described how mission teams nationwide have been working under the looming threat of layoffs, loss of internships, and possible mission cancellations in the event that Congress accepts the proposed reductions in the 2026 budget. While the White House Office of Management and Budget has pulled back from its harshest funding proposals, the possibility of thousands of job losses, deep trimming of competitive grants, and the shutdown of active research projects remains if compromises are not reached.

Despite the budget crisis, the United States has continued several notable planetary science initiatives. Space.com has detailed a busy launch calendar, including a planned September launch for NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe, which will study the edge of the solar system, as well as new missions using commercial spaceplanes such as the Sierra Space Dream Chaser. The United Launch Alliance is set to launch Dream Chaser from Cape Canaveral in Florida, marking the first flight of a winged commercial spaceplane to the International Space Station. Meanwhile, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has highlighted public skywatching events in October, such as the Orionid meteor shower peaking mid-month, offering Americans opportunities to connect with planetary science from their own backyards.

Amid uncertainty, universities such as the University of California, Santa Cruz, have mobilized to protect fundamental research funding. According to news at UC Santa Cruz, NASA is a top source of funding for research in Earth and planetary sciences as well as astronomy and physics, critically supporting discoveries and educational opportunities. The campus joined the national Day of Action, emphasizing the stakes for both scientific progress and the training of future planetary scientists.

Across the globe, planetary science highlights this month include ongoing investigations of exoplanets that challenge theories of planetary formation and preparations for several upcoming lunar and Mars missions involving both government agencies and the private sector.

A key emerging pattern is the growing intersection of grassroots advocacy and planetary science policy in the United States. The outcome of current legislative negotiations will determine the vitality of future exploration, the robustness of the scientific workforce, and the continued US leadership in the international planetary science community.

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