NASA Climate Satellites Face Uncertain Future as Budget Cuts Loom
The fate of two NASA climate satellites hangs in the balance as President Donald Trump's budget request to Congress calls for terminating 41 of the agency's science missions, including those tracking greenhouse gas emissions. 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 a NASA spokesperson, the agency has been directed to make plans to close out the missions tagged for cancellation, including the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) and the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2). These satellites, launched in 2009 and 2014 respectively, have provided critical data on carbon dioxide emissions, a key contributor to climate change.
"This is a devastating blow to our efforts to understand and address climate change," said Dr. James Hansen, a former NASA scientist and leading expert on climate change. "The OCO satellites have been instrumental in helping us track the growth of CO2 emissions, and their loss would be a significant setback for our understanding of this critical issue."
The budget cuts are part of Trump's broader effort to reduce federal spending, but lawmakers from both parties have signaled they will reject most of the proposed reductions. However, with the federal budget set to expire on September 30, it remains uncertain whether Congress will pass a new budget before the deadline.
"This is not just about NASA; it's about our nation's commitment to understanding and addressing one of the greatest challenges facing humanity," said Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.), a leading advocate for climate action. "We need to prioritize science funding, not slash it."
The proposed cuts have also drawn criticism from within the Republican Party, with some lawmakers expressing concerns that the reductions would harm the nation's competitiveness and undermine its ability to address emerging challenges.
"We need to be investing in science and technology, not cutting back," said Representative Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.), a former NASA administrator. "These cuts would be a mistake for our country and for the future of space exploration."
As the clock ticks down on the federal budget deadline, NASA officials are bracing themselves for the possibility that the OCO satellites may not continue their critical work beyond the end of this month.
"We're doing everything we can to preserve these missions," said a NASA spokesperson. "But ultimately, it's up to Congress to decide our funding priorities."
The fate of the OCO satellites and other NASA climate initiatives remains uncertain as lawmakers navigate the complex budget process. One thing is clear, however: the stakes are high for both science and policy.
*Reporting by Arstechnica.*
