Science Friday Cuts To NASA And A Fast-Track For Deep Sea Mining
May 9, 2025
Sophie Bushwick, Senior News Editor at New Scientist, and Sandor Mulsow, a marine geologist at Austral University, dive into critical issues in science today. They discuss proposed NASA budget cuts that could cripple key projects while diverting funds to lunar and Martian missions. Meanwhile, an executive order fast-tracks deep-sea mining, raising environmental and geopolitical concerns. Mulsow highlights the potential impact on marine ecosystems, framing a larger debate on our ethical responsibilities toward ocean health.
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NASA Faces Deep Science Cuts
- Proposed NASA budget cuts would severely reduce science funding, endangering Mars and lunar exploration robots.
- Priorities would shift solely to human-led moon and Mars missions, threatening existing scientific programs.
US Cities Are Sinking
- Most large U.S. cities are sinking due to groundwater and oil extraction, compounding infrastructure risks.
- Houston sinks fastest at over 5 millimeters per year, exacerbated by heavy resource extraction.
Mountains May Hide Hydrogen
- Mountain-forming processes can bring rocks capable of producing hydrogen closer to the surface.
- This could provide accessible natural hydrogen as a clean energy source, pending environmental impact assessments.