NASA Climate Satellites Face Uncertain Future Amid Budget Cuts
The fate of two NASA satellites tracking greenhouse gas emissions hangs in the balance as President Donald Trump's budget request to Congress calls for terminating 41 science missions, including those monitoring carbon dioxide levels. The proposed cuts, which would slash NASA's spending by 25 percent and halve its science funding, have sparked concerns among lawmakers and scientists.
According to NASA officials, the agency has been directed to make plans to close out the missions tagged for cancellation, including the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) and the Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Demonstration (CLARREO). The OCO, launched in 2009, was designed to track emissions of carbon dioxide, a primary greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. CLARREO, set to launch this year, would provide critical data on atmospheric conditions.
Lawmakers from both parties have signaled they will reject most of Trump's cuts, but the looming deadline for passing a budget for the next fiscal year has raised concerns about the future of these missions. "We're not going to let the president's budget dictate what we do," said Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas), chairwoman of the House Science Committee. "We'll work with NASA and other agencies to ensure that our priorities are met."
The proposed cuts have also drawn criticism from scientists, who argue they would undermine efforts to understand and mitigate climate change. "These satellites provide critical data on greenhouse gas emissions," said Dr. Gavin Schmidt, director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies. "Cutting them would be a step backward in our understanding of the Earth's climate system."
The Trump administration has argued that the budget cuts are necessary to prioritize national security and other pressing issues. However, some lawmakers have suggested that the cuts could have unintended consequences, including harming the economy and public health.
As the deadline for passing a budget approaches, NASA officials are working to ensure a smooth transition for the affected missions. "We're doing everything we can to minimize disruptions," said a NASA spokesperson. "However, the outcome is uncertain, and we'll continue to work with lawmakers to advocate for our priorities."
The fate of the OCO and CLARREO satellites remains uncertain as Congress debates the budget. While some lawmakers have signaled support for preserving these missions, others have expressed concerns about the cost. The outcome will likely depend on the ability of lawmakers to reach a compromise before the September 30 deadline.
Background: NASA's climate satellite program was established in 2002 during the George W. Bush administration. Since then, the agency has launched several satellites tracking greenhouse gas emissions, including the OCO and CLARREO missions. The proposed cuts would mark a significant shift in NASA's priorities, with some lawmakers arguing they would undermine efforts to understand and mitigate climate change.
Additional perspectives: Some lawmakers have suggested that the budget cuts could be an opportunity for NASA to refocus its priorities on more pressing issues. "We need to prioritize space exploration over climate research," said Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), a former chairman of the House Science Committee. However, others argue that cutting these missions would harm public health and the economy.
Current status: The fate of the OCO and CLARREO satellites remains uncertain as Congress debates the budget. While some lawmakers have signaled support for preserving these missions, others have expressed concerns about the cost. The outcome will likely depend on the ability of lawmakers to reach a compromise before the September 30 deadline.
*Reporting by Arstechnica.*
