The Artemis II mission and its successful return to Earth have, for now, brought the American public’s attention back to NASA and its aspirational mission to push the boundaries of humanity into space.
Achieving those goals costs billions, but the Office of Management and Budget under President Donald Trump’s administration is planning deep cuts to NASA’s budget.
Famed science communicator and teacher Bill Nye has described Trump’s planned cuts as “surprising, illogical, and very troubling” in a new op-ed for MS NOW.
“These cuts would be an insult to our astronauts and entire NASA workforce. Astronauts and their colleagues are civil servants who work hard, accomplish nearly impossible things and represent our country to the world,” he wrote.
The Trump administration’s planned cuts would end 53 planned or ongoing NASA Science missions, would slice away $13 billion in funding, and would stop the development of most of the planned NASA Science missions.
NASA Science is the research and exploration arm of the nation’s space and aeronautics organization.
To put that amount into perspective, retired Marine Colonel Mark Cancian of the Center for Strategic and International Studies told NPR that the first 40 days of the war in Iran cost the U.S. approximately $28 billion when considering things like munitions, damage done to bases, and loss of military aircraft.
But the Trump administration’s cuts won’t just eat into NASA’s ability to launch exploration missions; it’s also cutting its STEM outreach programs for students.
Nye argued that NASA is not only a “unique part of the American story,” but it is also “the best brand our nation has.”
“When people around the world think of the U.S. at its best, they think of astronauts exploring the moon, telescopes opening new windows on the cosmos and spacecraft making profound discoveries on other worlds,” Nye wrote. “NASA is who we are when we’re curious, bold and united.”
Even discounting loftier ideas like national identity and human curiosity, Nye poses a practical and political reason for keeping NASA funded: China.
Nye points out that China is planning a moonwalk for 2030, likening Beijing’s space ambitions to a new space race for the U.S.
“If the race is on, why abandon so much? Why cede the lead? The U.S. cannot be first in space if it is second in science and technology,” he wrote.
Nye also announced that on April 20, opponents of the cuts will gather in Washington, D.C., for the “Save NASA Science” campaign, and told those who support the cause to join in person or online.
“Cutting science would not just delay discovery; it would destroy it. It would shatter our STEM talent pipeline. It would abandon our international partners,” Nye warned. “And, it would cede U.S. leadership in space science to China and other nations.”
