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.

25:11

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Episode guests

Sandor Mulsow

Sophie Bushwick

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Proposed NASA budget cuts threaten critical scientific exploration missions, shifting focus to crewed flights rather than robotic space research.

The fast-tracking of deep-sea mining raises environmental concerns due to potential harm to ecosystems and exacerbation of climate change.

Deep dives

Impact of NASA Budget Cuts

The proposed budget cuts to NASA by the Trump administration threaten major science programs, potentially jeopardizing missions that involve robotic exploration beyond Earth. Projects such as sending rovers to Mars and the planned moon space station face severe funding reductions. Critical instruments like the Nancy Grace Roman space telescope, which is nearly ready, might lose support needed for its launch. Overall, these cuts would shift NASA's priorities significantly away from scientific exploration to focus primarily on crewed missions to the Moon and Mars.

Intro

2min

Budget Cuts and Scientific Discoveries

9min

Cyborg Cicadas: The Insect Music Revolution

2min

The Push for Deep-Sea Mining: Environmental and Geopolitical Concerns

2min

Deep-Sea Mining: Environmental Risks and Regulatory Challenges

12min

Proposed budget cuts for NASA would jeopardize space research. And an executive order could change the political tides for deep sea mining.

On May 2, the Trump Administration proposed a 24% budget cut for NASA. It would slash funding for science while setting billions aside for initiatives to send humans to the moon and Mars. New Scientist editor Sophie Bushwick joins us to talk about this, as well as other news in science, like how many U.S. cities are sinking, the search for geologic hydrogen within mountains, the first photos of free-floating atoms, Chinese poetry about porpoises, and cicadas turned into speakers.

And, President Trump recently issued an executive order that would fast-track access for deep sea mining. Soon after, a Canadian company called The Metals Company submitted the first application for NOAA to review. This has raised environmental and climate concerns, as well as geopolitical tensions. Ocean geologist Sandor Mulsow breaks down what’s at stake for the ocean.

Guests:
Sophie Bushwick, senior news editor at New Scientist in NYC
Dr. Sandor Mulsow, marine geologist at the Austral University of Chile

Transcript will be available after the show airs on sciencefriday.com.

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