NASA’s $25.4 billion James Webb Space Telescope is on the brink of a potential 20% budget cut, which could significantly impact its operations and science output. The telescope, launched just four years ago, was saved from cancellation in 2011 due to cost overruns and technical delays.
The planned reduction comes as NASA faces budget constraints across the board. If implemented, it would affect every aspect of the mission, including data analysis, anomaly resolution, and public outreach. Tom Brown, leader of the Webb mission office, warned that a 20% cut would be “huge” and impact everything from observing target proposals to observatory efficiencies.
The telescope’s operational costs were initially set low in 2011, but subsequent expenses have far exceeded projections. The proposed budget adjustment would see $64 million shaved off the original $317 million allocation.
Despite concerns about the potential cuts, some experts argue that the remaining funds could be sufficient to extract significant science from the telescope. However, this optimism is tempered by concerns about the need for more robust budgeting and management practices in NASA’s future projects.
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/james-webb-space-telescope/nasa-james-webb-space-telescope-faces-20-percent-budget-cuts