Actual, Current, Real-World Cuts to NASA Planetary R&A

9 months ago

Severe 82% cuts to NASA's planetary science Research and Analysis (R&A) funding, far exceeding the 47% overall NASA science budget reduction.
ROSES 2025 announcement reveals drastic reductions, including cancellation of key programs like PICASSO, MATISSE, and DALI, impacting instrument development.
Solar System Science (SSS) program consolidates 11 previous programs but faces a 69% funding cut, with proposal selection rates plummeting to 5-9%.
The cuts threaten the US solar system science workforce, contradicting the Planetary Decadal Survey's recommendation of a 30% selection rate for sustainability.
Despite the severity, planetary R&A constitutes only 2.5% of NASA's planetary science budget and a minuscule fraction of the federal budget.
Personal reflections on coping mechanisms include community solidarity in space science, Buddhist teachings, and the power of human connections in fostering understanding.
Anecdote shared by Dr. OiYan A. Poon highlights the impact of visual storytelling in bridging cultural and racial divides, inspired by historical parallels between Gwangju and Ferguson.

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