NASA Satellites Tracking Greenhouse Gas Emissions Face Ax Amid Trump Budget Cuts

NASA Climate Satellites Face Uncertain Future Amid Trump 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 the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) and the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-3 (OCO-3), by the end of this month. According to a NASA spokesperson, the agency has been directed to make plans to close out the cancelled missions. "We are following the budget process as outlined by the administration," said the spokesperson, who requested anonymity. "However, we are also working with Congress to ensure that our science priorities remain intact." The proposed budget slashes NASA's spending by 25 percent and cuts science funding in half. Lawmakers from both parties have signaled they will reject most of Trump's cuts, but it is unclear whether Congress will pass a budget for the next fiscal year before the September 30 deadline. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has expressed concerns about the impact of the proposed cuts on the agency's ability to carry out its mission. "We are committed to continuing our scientific research and exploration efforts, but we need a stable and predictable funding stream to do so," he said in a statement. The OCO and OCO-3 satellites were launched in 2009 and 2018, respectively, as part of NASA's effort to track carbon dioxide emissions. The data collected by these satellites has been crucial for scientists studying climate change. Environmental groups have expressed alarm at the potential loss of these satellites. "The Orbiting Carbon Observatory is a critical tool for understanding the impact of human activity on the environment," said Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club. "We urge Congress to reject the Trump administration's budget request and prioritize funding for NASA's science missions." On the other hand, some lawmakers have defended the proposed cuts as necessary for fiscal responsibility. "We need to make tough decisions about how we allocate our resources," said Representative Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). "NASA's science missions are important, but they should not take precedence over national security and defense spending." The future of the OCO and OCO-3 satellites remains uncertain until Congress passes a budget for the next fiscal year. As the deadline approaches, NASA officials will continue to work with lawmakers to ensure that the agency's science priorities remain intact. Background: The Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) was launched in 2009 as part of NASA's effort to track carbon dioxide emissions. The OCO-3 satellite was launched in 2018 and is designed to provide more accurate data on greenhouse gas emissions. President Trump's budget request calls for terminating 41 science missions, including the OCO and OCO-3 satellites. Additional Perspectives: A NASA spokesperson emphasized that the agency is committed to continuing its scientific research and exploration efforts despite the proposed cuts. Environmental groups have expressed alarm at the potential loss of the OCO and OCO-3 satellites, which they say are critical for understanding climate change. Some lawmakers have defended the proposed cuts as necessary for fiscal responsibility. Current Status: The fate of the OCO and OCO-3 satellites hangs in the balance until Congress passes a budget for the next fiscal year. NASA officials will continue to work with lawmakers to ensure that the agency's science priorities remain intact. *Reporting by Arstechnica.*