NASA has paused work of several astrophysics and planetary science committees following President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders. The move comes as the space agency reviews its activities to ensure compliance with the new orders, which include rolling back previous administration’s decisions on climate change.
The pause affects community-organized groups that provide feedback to NASA’s Astrophysics and Planetary Science Division but do not make formal recommendations. These groups focus on exploration of the Moon and Mars, study of exoplanets, and missions to Venus, Mercury, and other solar system destinations.
NASA is taking a cautious approach amid concerns that some executive orders may conflict with its objectives, such as exploring the solar system and probing for scientific answers. The agency is also focused on landing astronauts on the Moon by 2027 and establishing a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface to eventually reach Mars in the 2030s.
The move has been met with criticism from some scientists who are worried about the impact of Trump’s executive orders on the agency’s work, including one group that was scheduled to meet but had its meeting canceled due to the pause. The situation highlights the challenges faced by NASA and other federal science agencies in navigating the complex landscape of executive orders and their potential implications for scientific research and exploration.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/nasa-puts-science-on-pause-after-wave-of-trump-orders-2000558539