NASA is currently juggling 124 science missions that are either under development, in prime operations, or undergoing extended operations. Proposed budget cuts could jeopardize 41 of these missions, while another 17 would see their funding eliminated in the near future. This means nearly half of NASA’s science initiatives could come to an end, and many others could face substantial budget reductions ranging from 20 to 40 percent.
The potential cuts affect several notable projects, including NASA’s sole mission to Jupiter, an ambitious endeavor to explore an asteroid that will pass close to Earth in 2029, two significant missions aimed at studying Venus, and a project focused on returning samples from Mars.
“We would be turning off some fabulous missions that are doing extremely well,” stated Jim Green, a physicist who led NASA’s Planetary Science Program for 12 years before his retirement in 2022.
Typically, following the White House’s budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year, Congress is expected to review and establish funding levels through appropriations. However, recent years have seen Congress struggle to agree on a budget before the fiscal year commences. This gridlock has led to the implementation of a “continuing resolution,” allowing NASA to operate with funding levels that mirror those of the prior fiscal year.
Yet, multiple sources have informed Ars that this might not be the case for the current year, and new memos shed light on this situation.
Potential Cancellations Loom
The memos were dispatched to the principal investigators associated with missions identified for cancellation under the proposed White House budget. While it is sensible to prepare an action plan for these missions in anticipation of budgetary changes—assuming a budget is finalized by October 1—it is also essential for NASA to adhere to whatever budget it receives.
However, there are indications of a more complex agenda. The Office of Management and Budget, under the direction of Russ Vought, appears intent on diminishing the federal government’s science portfolio across various sectors and anticipates that a continuing resolution will be enacted, given Congress’s likely inability to finalize a budget.
