The Trump administration’s proposal for NASA’s budget has sparked outrage among scientists and enthusiasts alike, with some calling it an “extinction-level event” for Earth and space sciences. The proposed $6 billion cut to NASA’s budget would represent a 24% reduction from the previous year, with the most significant impact on planetary science.
The plan would cancel dozens of missions and slash thousands of jobs at NASA, with direct-funded civil servants dwindling from 17,391 in fiscal year 2025 to 11,853 under the proposed budget. Some of the missions facing cuts include the OSIRIS-APEX mission headed to asteroid Apophis, New Horizons’ findings on the second Kuiper Belt, and Juno’s observations of volcanic activity on Io.
The Planetary Society has launched a petition calling on Congress to reject the proposal, citing that it would have devastating consequences for space science. The petition argues that these cuts would force the termination of productive spacecraft, delay or cancel development projects, and reduce opportunities for future scientists and engineers.
While the proposed budget cuts are currently just proposals, it’s essential to take action now to contact representatives and express opposition to these cuts. Citizens can find their representatives in the House of Representatives and Senate using online resources, such as the U.S. Congress page. Signing this petition is also an opportunity for anyone worldwide to make their voice heard.
The fate of NASA’s budget remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the future of space science hangs in the balance, and it’s up to us to advocate for its preservation.
Source: https://earthsky.org/human-world/proposed-nasa-cuts-decimate-us-space-science-petition