Congress Launches Planetary Science Caucus to Advocate for NASA’s Budget Amid Uncertain Future
In a bid to support NASA’s planetary science programs, which are facing reduced budgets and an uncertain future, members of Congress have come together to form the Planetary Science Caucus. Led by Representatives Judy Chu and Don Bacon, the caucus aims to educate fellow members of Congress and the public about the importance of space exploration, particularly in the field of planetary science.
The need for such advocacy became evident when Senate appropriators proposed cuts to NASA’s Mars Sample Return (MSR) program in their fiscal year 2024 spending bill. This led to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, located in Chu’s district, laying off 8% of its workforce. Recognizing the critical moment for American planetary science, Chu emphasized the significance of relaunching the Planetary Science Caucus.
While a final 2024 spending bill is expected to be approved by the House and Senate, it provides NASA with flexibility in determining funding for MSR. The Senate bill allocates $300 million, while the House version and NASA’s request amount to $949.3 million. This funding will depend on the ongoing reassessment of MSR’s architecture.
Chu expressed gratitude for the progress made in bipartisan appropriations legislation, which highlights MSR as a top priority in planetary science decadal surveys. The legislation also prohibits NASA from laying off MSR workers without congressional notification. However, Chu stressed the importance of continued efforts to secure adequate funding for MSR and support the groundbreaking discoveries made by JPL.
Bacon, on the other hand, offered a broader endorsement of space exploration as a reason for establishing the caucus. He emphasized the duty to future generations in driving innovation through prioritizing exploration, stating that “there is no greater exploration than the final frontier.”
The revival of the Planetary Science Caucus coincides with challenges faced by NASA in terms of MSR’s uncertain future and overall cuts to its planetary science program. The 2024 spending bill allocates $2.717 billion for planetary science, a decrease of nearly half a billion dollars compared to the previous year. NASA had initially requested over $3.38 billion for planetary science in its 2024 proposal.
Lori Glaze, director of NASA’s planetary science division, acknowledged the difficulties posed by reduced spending. She expressed concerns about the agency’s ability to fund MSR above the minimum $300 million specified in the appropriations bill. Glaze also noted that it was too early to determine the impact of reduced funding on other programs, as NASA will need to develop an operating plan for allocating funds, subject to approval from the White House and Congress.
The budget constraints are expected to persist in fiscal year 2025 due to a two-year agreement on the debt ceiling that limits non-defense discretionary spending. Glaze emphasized the real repercussions of tight budgets and stated that NASA would prioritize missions in later phases of development and research funding.
Despite the challenges ahead, the launch of the Planetary Science Caucus signifies a united effort among members of Congress to advocate for NASA’s planetary science programs. By raising awareness about the benefits of space exploration and the importance of continued funding, the caucus aims to secure a brighter future for American planetary science.
