President Donald Trump’s initial budget request proposes significant cuts to NASA’s science research and future space missions, sparking concerns among scientists and policymakers. The proposed 20% cut to the agency’s $25 billion budget would have a devastating impact on NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD), which includes all planetary science, Earth science, astrophysics, heliophysics, and biological and physical science research.
The draft budget request would slash funding for various programs, including astrophysics, heliophysics, and planetary science, by as much as 68%, 43%, and 30% respectively. This would not only terminate functional science missions but also cancel new missions currently being built, wasting billions of taxpayer dollars in the process.
The proposed cuts have raised concerns about the future of NASA’s climate research and Earth observing satellite programs, which are critical to understanding and protecting our planet from severe climate impacts. The agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, which employs over 10,000 civil servants and contractors, is also at risk of closure.
Despite assurances from Jared Isaacman, Trump’s nominee for NASA administrator, that he has no knowledge of planned budget cuts to NASA, the proposal remains a cause for concern among lawmakers. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) called the budget proposal “wholly unserious” and vowed to fight against the cuts, citing the critical role that NASA plays in advancing our understanding of the universe and the planet.
The proposed budget would be the lowest adjusted for inflation since 1961, sparking fears about the long-term consequences for NASA’s research and exploration programs. As scientists and policymakers weigh in on the proposal, one thing is clear: the fate of NASA’s science funding hangs in the balance.
Source: https://eos.org/research-and-developments/nasa-science-faces-an-extinction-level-event-with-trump-draft-budget-proposal