BBC Inside Science What would cuts to Nasa mean for space science?
May 22, 2025
Tim O'Brien, a Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Manchester, dives into the impacts of proposed budget cuts to NASA. He discusses how a potential 20% reduction could jeopardize critical projects, including the Mars Sample Return mission. The conversation also highlights groundbreaking discoveries of chemical signals from distant exoplanets, signalling progress in the search for alien life. Additionally, O'Brien points to the upcoming close approach of asteroid Apophis, showcasing international collaboration efforts to enhance planetary defense.
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NASA Science Budget at Risk
- NASA faces proposed cuts up to 50% in its science budget, including astrophysics and Earth science.
- Such cuts threaten key missions and international collaborations in space science.
Mars Sample Return in Jeopardy
- Mars Sample Return mission is delayed due to financial uncertainty.
- This halts the retrieval of cached Mars samples crucial for planetary science progress.
NASA Budget Cuts Despite Popularity
- NASA's popularity contrasts sharply with Trump's proposed funding cuts.
- The administration's general push against federal spending drives this unpopular NASA budget proposal.