As part of the budget proposal for NASA submitted earlier this year, the Trump administration proposed cancelling more than 40 missions, including at least 14 Earth science missions.
Key Details of the Order
- Targeted Satellites: The order affects two satellites that measure carbon dioxide (CO2) levels and monitor crop health. One is currently in Earth’s orbit, while the other is attached to the International Space Station (ISS).
- Purpose: These satellites provide data used to track climate change and manage agricultural responses to weather patterns.
- Scientific Recommendation: Before this order, NASA experts had recommended extending these missions until at least 2026 due to the high quality of the data they were providing.
- Cost: The annual operating budget for both missions combined is approximately $15 million.