cover of episode The dark age of NASA science? Analyzing the FY 2026 budget proposal

The dark age of NASA science? Analyzing the FY 2026 budget proposal

2025/6/4
logo of podcast Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science
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Bill Nye
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Bruce Betts
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Jack Corelli
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Sarah El-Ahmad
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Sarah El-Ahmad: 我认为NASA的预算削减将对太空探索的未来产生重大影响，许多重要的科学任务面临取消的威胁。如果这项预算获得通过，NASA的科学项目资金将被大幅削减，同时机构规模也将缩减。我们需要采取行动来保护太空探索的未来。 Jack Corelli: 我认为这份预算实际上是一个撤退和收缩的预算，它无视了过去几十年为太空探索所做的努力。这项预算将缩小我们的关注范围，对我们来自哪里以及我们是否孤独这些大问题视而不见。商业航天领域的所有人都理所当然地对此感到担忧。我们必须认识到，NASA的预算不仅仅是一份政治文件，它关系到美国的太空领导地位和经济发展。我们需要采取行动来改变这种状况。 Bill Nye: 我认为美国国会批准NASA的年度预算至关重要，我们需要你的支持来推广太空任务。重要的任务正在被推迟，有些甚至无限期推迟。现在捐款，你的捐款将被匹配到75,000美元。我们需要确保每一位代表和参议员都明白NASA是美国国家政策的关键组成部分。

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The White House's proposed FY2026 NASA budget calls for drastic cuts to science programs, mission cancellations, and workforce reduction. This episode analyzes the budget's implications for space exploration and discusses the potential consequences for NASA's future and the broader space community. The unexpected withdrawal of Jared Isaacman's nomination to lead NASA adds another layer of complexity.
  • Proposed 47% cut to NASA's science programs
  • Dozens of active and planned missions facing cancellation
  • One-third reduction in NASA's workforce proposed
  • Withdrawal of Jared Isaacman's nomination to lead NASA

Shownotes Transcript

The White House has released its Fiscal Year 2026 congressional budget justification for NASA, and the implications are staggering. If enacted, this proposal would slash NASA’s science program funding by nearly half, cancel dozens of active and upcoming missions, and reduce the agency’s workforce by one-third. Sarah Al-Ahmed is joined by Jack Kiraly, The Planetary Society’s director of government relations, to examine what’s in the nearly 500-page document, what it means for the future of space science and exploration, and how advocates can still act to save NASA science.

Then, in What’s Up, Planetary Society Chief Scientist Bruce Betts shares insights on China’s newly launched asteroid sample return mission, Tianwen-2. The spacecraft will rendezvous with near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, offering new scientific opportunities amidst a moment of global uncertainty in space exploration.

Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-FY-2026-budget-proposal)

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