Debris field of space shuttle columbia breaking up over Texas. Is this the future of the ISS? Image courtesy National Weather Service
While much of America is watching the final space shuttle mission gear up, the House Appropriations Committee has taken an axe to what are arguably the best parts of NASA while leaving, and in some cases increasing, funding for the pork. And NASA is not alone. A press release just posted on the committee’s website touts billions in cuts to science programs and a bunch of other stuff. Some of the science highlights:
- NASA is funded at $16.8 billion in the bill, which is $1.6 billion below last year’s level and $1.9 billion below the President’s request with severe cuts to virtually every sector including—reading between the lines—unmanned exloration and earth sciences. Only the Senate Launch System and related projects are spared.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)—The legislation contains $4.5 billion for NOAA, which is a cut of $103 million below last year’s level and $1 billion below the President’s request.
- National Science Foundation (NSF)—The legislation funds NSF at $6.9 billion, the same as last year’s level and $907 million below the President’s request.
The NASA cuts are devastating, something big has to give. Meaning the ISS comes down blazing like Skylab, or a host of science missions have to be stopped in their tracks (including the James Webb Space Telescope), or both. It's not clear where this goes next, or if it's unofficially part of any wider budget deal. But sources close to the process seem convinced this or something very much like it will pass the House and move on to the Senate. And several sources tell me as far as science funding goes, it's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. But some people still believe!