“Serious consequences, blind reductions”: former NASA chiefs castigate Donald Trump

Seven ex-directors associated with the scientific missions of NASA have just signed A letter of protest against the half reduction of the scientific budget of the spatial agency. Indeed, only 53 % of the envelope allocated to scientific projects of 2025 was proposed at the US congress for 2026 as part of the drastic economies wanted by President Donald Trump.

In a remarkable gesture of Union, John Grunsfeld, Alphonso Diaz, Lennard Fisk, Wesley Huntress, Alan Stern, Edward Weiler and Thomas Zubuchen have therefore decided to make a common front in the face of what they consider the major risk of seeing China grab the world scientific leadership to the detriment of the United States.

“We write to you to oppose the budget request”

The tone of the missive is certainly respectful, but its objective is clear and the terms used unequivocal: “Serious consequences”,, “Blind reductions.” The co -signs thus underline that the scientific component represents only 3 % of the overall budget of NASA, but that by halving it, it is all of America which would undergo a strategic and economic danger. In addition to the many missions in progress potentially buried (as explained in the link above), a whole scientific and engineering workforce “Immensely capable” would be undermined.

As if it were necessary to recall, they specify that “These proposed economies ignore a fundamental truth: investments in the science of NASA have been and are a powerful engine of the American economy and technological leadership”.

A status of Big boss questioned

Former leaders also draw attention to the probable geostrategic consequences of such a decision. NASA and the United States could leave too much field to other nations scientific programs. Unsurprisingly, the Chinese space program is made several times, rightly qualified (rightly)“ambitious” and “Well funded” : China is thus designated as the main beneficiary of the cheaper claimed by the tenant of the White House.

Yield American leadership in the spatial and scientific field to China

When you know how much Donald Trump’s designated opponent is the Middle Empire, you can think that this argument will be carefully examined by Washington DC parliamentarians, ultimate decision -makers of the federal budget. We can also note this beautiful patriotic flight: “NASA scientific programs benefit from broad public and bipartisan support for a good reason: agency’s science provides results for the North American people, offering large direct advantages in addition to giving citizens admiration and inspiration that only NASA can provide […] The science that NASA produces gives results in the context of a positive vision of America inside and around the world. This is a visible example of what makes America large. ”