NASA Satellites Tracking Climate Change Face Cuts Under Trump Budget Proposal

NASA Climate Satellites Face Uncertain Future as Trump Budget Cuts Loom 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 of NASA's science missions, including those monitoring carbon dioxide levels. The proposed cuts, part of a broader plan to slash NASA's spending by 25 percent and halve its science funding, have sparked concerns among lawmakers and scientists. According to sources, the two satellites in question, launched in 2002 as part of NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) mission, were designed to track emissions of carbon dioxide, a primary greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. The OCO-3 satellite, set to launch next year, was also targeted for cancellation. "We're extremely concerned about the potential loss of these critical climate monitoring satellites," said Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas), chairwoman of the House Science Committee. "These missions provide essential data on greenhouse gas emissions and are crucial for understanding the impacts of climate change." The Trump administration's budget request, submitted to Congress in February, calls for significant cuts to NASA's science programs, including the cancellation of 41 projects in development or operation. Another 17 projects would see their funding zeroed out in the near future. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine defended the proposed cuts, saying they are necessary to prioritize the agency's core mission areas and ensure its long-term sustainability. "We're making tough decisions to ensure NASA remains a leader in space exploration and development," he said. However, critics argue that the cuts will have far-reaching consequences for climate research and national security. "These satellites provide critical data on greenhouse gas emissions, which is essential for developing effective climate policies," said Dr. Gavin Schmidt, director of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies at NASA. "The loss of these missions would be a significant setback for our understanding of climate change." As the federal budget deadline approaches, lawmakers from both parties have signaled they will reject most of Trump's cuts. However, it remains uncertain whether Congress will pass a budget for the next fiscal year before September 30. In the meantime, NASA managers have been directed to make plans to close out the missions tagged for cancellation. The fate of the OCO-3 satellite and other climate monitoring projects hangs in the balance as lawmakers and scientists await a final decision on the proposed cuts. The impact of these cuts will be felt far beyond NASA's walls, with potential consequences for national security, economic development, and environmental protection. As the debate over Trump's budget request continues, one thing is clear: the future of NASA's climate satellites remains uncertain. *Reporting by Arstechnica.*