Science, industry, advocacy groups oppose deep cuts to NASA science

April 30, 2025, TUCSON, Ariz.— The Planetary Science Institute, along with a coalition of leading space industry organizations, scientific societies and public advocacy groups are submitting a joint letter to Congress opposing the budget cuts to NASA’s Science Mission Directorate currently under consideration by the White House. The letter reflects widespread concern about the future of American leadership in space exploration.

The letter warns that the 47% reduction to NASA’s science budget that is reportedly under consideration would cause “immediate and irreparable damage” to the nation’s space science enterprise.

The letter details the devastating consequences such a cut would inflict:

Premature termination of dozens of currently operating scientific spacecraft, wasting billions of taxpayers’ investment in healthy, productive missions;
Abandonment of major future missions, including the flagship Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope;
Severe impacts to America’s space workforce, STEM talent pipeline, and international leadership in science and technology;
Setbacks to our national security by potential underfunding of planetary defense, space weather forecasting, and the loss of American leadership in space science.

“This proposed budget cut would not just harm NASA — it would harm the domestic industrial base, scientific institutions, and the public’s perception of its space agency,” said Casey Dreier, Chief of Space Policy for The Planetary Society. “These cuts would cause irreparable losses, throwing away billions of dollars invested by the U.S. taxpayers in productive space hardware and infrastructure. Space science is a critical national investment that engages our cutting edge economic, scientific, and educational abilities across the country.”

The signatories emphasize that space science is a unique public good that drives technological innovation, supports economic growth, inspires the public, and expands humanity’s collective knowledge. They urge congressional leaders to swiftly reject the cuts, if officially proposed, and to restore funding for NASA science in a responsible way.

“The inspiration, expansive knowledge and huge economic benefits from NASA science have been a part of American greatness and world leadership for more than half a century,” said PSI Director and CEO Mark Sykes. “Congress has provided great support for NASA science over those decades. Republicans in Congress, in particular, have been consistent in their support. We need Congress to save our country’s future and not allow the decimation of its important science programs in NASA and other agencies.”

Initial signatories:

The full letter is available in two versions:

Find additional NASA budget cut resources by The Planetary Society here.

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THE PLANETARY SCIENCE INSTITUTE

The Planetary Science Institute is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to Solar System exploration. It is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, where it was founded in 1972.

PSI scientists are involved in numerous NASA and international missions, the study of Mars and other planets, the Moon, asteroids, comets, interplanetary dust, impact physics, the origin of the Solar System, extra-solar planet formation, dynamics, the rise of life, and other areas of research. They conduct fieldwork on all continents around the world. They are also actively involved in science education and public outreach through school programs, children’s books, popular science books and art.

PSI scientists are based in 39 states, the District of Columbia and several international locations.