NASA is in crisis: budget cuts triggering a strong backlash in the scientific community

On the 56th anniversary of the moon landing, NASA scientists and staff did not immerse themselves in the glorious past of Apollo 11, but took to the streets to issue a warning for NASA's future.

On July 20th, about 150 NASA scientists, engineers, and contractors gathered at a small rally near the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., to protest against the recent decision by the US Congress to significantly reduce NASA's budget. The budget will officially take effect in December 2026, including a reduction of nearly half (47%) of NASA's operating funds. Many people are concerned that this reduction will seriously weaken the United States' leadership position in global space exploration and technology.

The protesters pointed out that this reduction was forcibly pushed by the newly appointed interim head of NASA, Sean Duffy, without sufficient deliberation. Duffy has no scientific or aerospace background and was once a reality show actor before being arranged by the Trump administration to lead the agency. Previously, he was also responsible for personnel reform at the Federal Aviation Administration during a period of rising aviation safety incidents in the United States.

Secondly, the concerns of NASA employees are not only related to the survival of the institution itself, but also to the long-term impact of the United States in research, education, and national security. A Mr. Lewis, who only revealed his surname, said that this reduction behavior is "like an intruder dismantling your copper wire", which is not only short-sighted, but also will cause the United States to miss out on major discoveries in the future. NASA has always been known for its high return on investment. Data shows that NASA's $26.4 billion budget for 2023 has created over $75 billion in economic benefits. This institution not only promotes space exploration, but also provides services for weather forecasting, communication GPS、 Civil technologies such as disaster warning provide critical support. Contractor Julie Hoover said that NASA had already lost a large number of talents before the budget was officially adjusted, and her team is working on developing a satellite data system for early warning of severe weather.

The day of the protest coincided with the anniversary of the first human landing on the moon in 1969, a symbolic day that deeply saddened many people - NASA's glory was being overshadowed by political struggles and budget cuts. The protesters hope to raise public attention through this action and urge Congress to withdraw the reduction plan. They are concerned that if left unchecked, NASA may follow in the footsteps of weakened or closed federal agencies such as the United States Agency for International Development and the Consumer Financial Protection Agency.

Now, NASA, which has inspired countless teenagers to pursue their technological dreams, is standing at a crossroads in the history of human space exploration. Whether to continue moving forward or gradually disintegrate, the answer may lie in the hands of the public and legislators.

Overall, on the occasion of the 56th anniversary of the first moon landing in the United States, NASA employees gathered to protest against the upcoming significant budget cuts, fearing that it would seriously undermine the United States' leadership in space exploration and technology. This reduction was pushed by interim leader Duffy, who has no aerospace background, and the scientific community generally believes that his approach is short-sighted and dangerous. NASA not only has a high economic return rate, but also undertakes key public functions such as climate monitoring and disaster warning. Faced with funding cuts and management turbulence, NASA is at a crossroads of fate, which not only concerns the future of a national institution, but also an important test of whether American technological innovation can continue to lead the world.