Donald Trump's NASA budget: Why it may make it difficult to track asteroids approaching Earth
However, recent budget proposals by the Trump administration might threaten to derail this important planetary defense initiative.
What budget cuts has Trump proposed for NASA?
According to reports by Time and ArcsTechnia, President Trump's fiscal year 2026 budget proposal includes a 24% reduction in NASA's overall funding, dropping it from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion, which is also the lowest since 2015. More concerning is the nearly 50% cut to the Science Mission Directorate, reducing its budget from $7.5 billion to $3.9 billion. This drastic reduction hampers and fiddles with numerous scientific programs, including planetary defense efforts like the
NEO Surveyor mission
.
How does this impact the planetary defense system?
The NEO Surveyor mission is NASA's next step in planetary defense, aiming to detect and characterise near-Earth objects (NEOs) that could be a possible threat to our planet. By operating in infrared wavelengths, it can identify asteroids that are invisible to optical telescopes. Delays or cancellations of this mission would leave Earth vulnerable to potential impacts from undetected asteroids.
The budget has been partially restored
In response to the proposed budget cuts, the House Appropriations Committee has partially restored funding for the NEO Surveyor mission, allocating $94.9 million.
While this is a step in the right direction, it falls short of the $170 million, which NASA had requested to maintain the mission's timeline. The committee has urged NASA to provide a revised launch schedule that ensures the mission proceeds without further delays, as reported by Space News.
The proposed budget cuts impact beyond planetary defense systems. Various other programs, such as the Mars Sample Return mission, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, and the Space Launch System, are also on the edge.
The Politico reported that former NASA Administrator Bill Nelson criticised the proposed budget cuts, likening them to attacking the agency with "a chainsaw and a meat-ax." He warned that such drastic reductions would severely harm NASA's core scientific research and technological development, potentially plunging the agency "into a dark age."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
9 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Axiom Mission 4 crew to depart ISS on July 14: Here's when and where to watch live
Axiom Mission 4 crew, including Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, will return to Earth after nearly two weeks aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying the four astronauts is scheduled to undock from the ISS on Monday, July 14. Axiom Mission 4 crew, including Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, will return to Earth from the ISS on July 1.(AFP) NASA will provide live streaming of the departure, starting early Monday morning. The Dragon capsule will leave the ISS's Harmony module around 7:05 am EDT (4:35 pm IST). After undocking, the spacecraft will head back to Earth for a splashdown off the coast of California. Also read: OpenAI prepares to take on Google Chrome with AI-driven browser, launch expected in weeks Axiom Mission 4 Crew Mission: Where and When to Watch the Live Stream NASA will begin broadcast coverage at 4:30 am EDT (2:00 pm IST) on NASA+. Hatch closing and crew entry into the Dragon spacecraft will be shown from 4:55 am EDT. The undocking broadcast will start at 6:45 am EDT on NASA+, Axiom Space, and SpaceX channels. Here is the schedule for the departure day (all times in EDT): 4:30 am – Hatch closing coverage on NASA+ 4:55 am – Crew boards spacecraft, and hatch closes 6:45 am – Undocking coverage on NASA+, Axiom Space, and SpaceX 7:05 am – Undocking from ISS Also read: This tiny wooden cube survived space: Now scientists say it could revolutionise satellite design NASA's live feed will continue for roughly 30 minutes after undocking. Axiom Space will then take over coverage of Dragon's re-entry and splashdown through its website. All timings are subject to change depending on mission operations. Astronauts Returning on Ax-4 Mission The Ax-4 mission is led by Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and Axiom's director of human spaceflight. The crew includes: Shubhanshu Shukla – First Indian astronaut to visit the ISS from ISRO Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski – European Space Agency astronaut from Poland Tibor Kapu – Hungarian astronaut under the HUNOR program The Dragon capsule will also return with over 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA equipment and data from more than 60 science experiments. Also read: Painting from 1937 appears to show man using iPhone, but there's a simpler explanation Mission Cargo The returning Dragon capsule carries over 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA equipment and data from more than 60 experiments conducted in orbit Axiom Mission 4 supports NASA's plan to foster a commercial low Earth orbit economy. By working with private companies, NASA aims to lower costs and focus on deep space exploration under the Artemis program. The mission helps keep the ISS as an active hub for scientific research and astronaut training.
India.com
19 minutes ago
- India.com
Russia in deep trouble as US decides to provide arms to Ukraine through..., missiles and rockets worth Rs 250000000000000 to be....
Russia in deep trouble as US decides to provide arms to Ukraine through..., missiles and rockets worth Rs 250000000000000 to be.... The Russia-Ukraine war is far from over. In the latest development, US President Donald Trump said that the US will send weapons to Ukraine through NATO and NATO will bear the full cost of these weapons. This move comes after the negotiation on ceasefire failed between Russia and Ukraine. Notably, US itself is a member of NATO which is an international military alliance. By 2025, NATO has 32 member countries. Its purpose is to ensure collective security of member countries and protect them from external attacks. US contributes 66% to NATO expenses. What will be the cost of the aid? According to media reports, the US is preparing to send a package of $300 million (Rs 2.5 thousand crores) to Ukraine, which will include Patriot missile systems and medium-range rockets, although a final decision on the weapons is yet to be taken. This is a legal method that allows the President to send weapons directly from US stockpiles in bad times. Earlier, the Trump administration had only sent weapons approved by former President Joe Biden to Ukraine. What is agreement on arms between US, NATO and Ukraine? This new arms agreement is between the US, NATO and Ukraine. Earlier the US used to send arms directly to Ukraine, but now this process will happen through NATO. Rs 90 thousand crores aid to Ukraine A conference for the reconstruction of Ukraine was held in Rome, the capital of Italy. In this conference, Ukraine was promised aid of 10 billion euros (Rs 90 thousand crores rupees). The European Commission announced aid of 2.3 billion euros (about 2.7 billion dollars). Zelensky said at this conference that Russia's assets should be used to rebuild Ukraine. He also demanded increased arms supplies, joint defense production and investment. The Ukraine Reconstruction Conference, held in Rome on 10 and 11 July 2025, is attended by 38 countries and several international organisations.
India Today
35 minutes ago
- India Today
Will India be hit with a 500% tariff? Here's what we know
India has not yet been able to finalise a trade deal with the United States, even as the deadline for a new wave of tariffs set by President Donald Trump draws to a government official quoted by Reuters, a delegation from India is expected to visit Washington soon in a fresh attempt to break the deadlock over duties on auto components, steel, and farm products. These items have emerged as key sticking points in what has become a long and complex trade remains one of the few countries still in talks with the US at a time when the Trump administration is preparing to enforce steep new tariffs on imports from several nations starting August this year, a team of Indian officials travelled to the US for trade talks, but the visit ended without a breakthrough. Disagreements remained on sensitive areas like market access for American agricultural products and tariff reductions on high-value industrial COUNTRIES RECEIVE TARIFF LETTERS, INDIA STILL WAITINGMeanwhile, at least 14 other countries have already received formal letters from the US, notifying them of upcoming tariffs ranging from 25% to 40%. India has not received such a letter yet, an indication that negotiations are still alive, but time is running to the pressure is a bill that could bring even more drastic consequences for Indian Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, a bipartisan bill introduced by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, aims to punish countries that continue to buy Russian oil and other energy products. The bill targets major importers like India and China and includes provisions for tariffs as high as 500%.While no such tariff has been imposed yet, the threat has created fresh concerns in New Delhi.'I'm looking. It's totally my option. They pass it totally at my option, and to terminate totally at my option. And I'm looking at it very strongly,' Trump told reporters during a Cabinet Bandyopadhyay, economist at Infomerics Valuation and Ratings, said the impact could be severe if such measures are put into effect.'The 500% tariff is an extreme step and its imposition will depend on the outcome of diplomatic discussions and trade talks. India's stance has been clear, our oil purchases are based on national energy security. These are long-term decisions made in the interest of the economy,' Bandyopadhyay added that India should strongly highlight these concerns during negotiations. 'The US itself continues to rely on Russian uranium for its nuclear plants. India must bring such facts to the table to argue for a more balanced approach.'EXPORT SECTORS AT RISK IF TALKS FAILBeyond the Russia-related concerns, Bandyopadhyay pointed out that failure to reach a broader trade agreement could put several key Indian sectors at risk. 'Exports of gems and jewellery, marine products, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and steel, all heavily dependent on the US market, could suffer significant losses,' he warned. 'If tariffs are reinstated or raised, Indian exporters could face losses of $7–10 billion.'Despite the challenges, there may still be a path forward. According to a Bloomberg report, the US is reportedly nearing an interim trade deal with India. If finalised, this deal could result in proposed tariffs being capped below 20%, a huge improvement compared to the sweeping hikes other countries are the deal goes through, India would become one of the few countries to receive trade concessions from the United States, even as Trump increases tariff pressure on many countries in Asia, the new tariffs already declared range between 20% for Vietnam and the Philippines and up to 40% for Laos and said that India has already made a generous offer in its talks with Washington.'India has proposed reducing the tariff gap with the US from 13% to below 4%. This includes zero tariffs on 60% of US imports and preferential access for 90% of American goods,' he return, India is seeking relief from proposed duties and better access for its labour-intensive exports such as textiles, shrimp, bananas, and grapes. But deep differences remain, especially in the agriculture and dairy sectors. The US has demanded lower tariffs on apples, nuts, and genetically modified crops, which India is hesitant to allow due to concerns from small farmers and political opposition at home.(Disclaimer: The views, opinions, recommendations, and suggestions expressed by expert in this article are their own and do not reflect the views of the India Today Group.)- EndsTune InMust Watch
