New Article Suggests “Rational Reforms, Not Reckless Cuts”

The National Space Society supports the recent article in Real Clear Science written by Newt Gingrich, Bob Walker, and Charles Miller, on the proposed cuts to NASA’s science budget of up to 50 percent.

“Deep cuts to NASA’s science programs would be the end of America’s leadership in space science,” the authors write. “It would clearly signal to the world (and to America’s children) that America is a declining power.”

NSS has taken a similar position in its own white paper, which states, “The National Space Society (NSS) urges Congress to take a strategic approach to NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) budget. While budgetary discipline is necessary, drastic cuts to space science funding would undermine America’s leadership in space exploration and jeopardize the burgeoning space-based economy.”

The proposed extreme and deep cuts to NASA’s world-class science programs would mark a clear reversal of U.S. leadership in space science, illustrated by the proposed cancellation of flagship missions like the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (illustrated above), which is completed and awaiting launch. NSS strongly opposes cuts in planetary defense, space-based astronomy, and heliophysics, while calling for reforms in planetary science echoed in the Gingrich/Miller/Walker article.

Hoyt Davidson, NSS Executive Vice President, said, “Among other concerns, it is important that we reevaluate our priorities in planetary science to better align our scientific efforts with the nation’s near-term space exploration plans. If we are to return humans to the Moon and then onward to Mars sustainably, our scientific missions need to support those efforts. This should start with a re-imagining of our decadal studies, which have in recent decades focused 100 percent on one-off robotic missions.”

The NSS paper goes on to say, “Any adjustments to NASA’s science budget should support high-impact investments that sustain America’s competitive advantage in space exploration and development. Congress must ensure that NASA’s science funding remains a cornerstone of U.S. space, educational, and economic policy, fostering long-term growth in America’s STEM workforce and commercial space sector and securing the nation’s leadership in space exploration and development.”