The Trump administration has proposed a 47% cut to NASA's science budget, which threatens to halt ongoing missions and future projects to the moon and Mars, sparking widespread opposition from Congress, scientists, and space advocates.

These proposed cuts are not yet approved by Congress, which is actively working on appropriations bills to reject the reductions and maintain NASA's funding and staffing levels.

Opposition to the cuts is led by organizations like The Planetary Society and multiple members of Congress, who warn that such reductions could be an 'extinction-level event' for space science and exploration.

UC Santa Cruz researchers contribute significantly to NASA projects, including fixing the Hubble Space Telescope's optics and modeling solar activity, which impacts Earth.

UC Santa Cruz scientists, such as Professor Natalie Batalha, have made groundbreaking discoveries like identifying over 2,700 exoplanets, including the first rocky planet outside our solar system, advancing planetary habitability research.

NASA's Science Mission Directorate manages vital missions like the James Webb Space Telescope, Perseverance Rover, and Landsat 9, which are essential for understanding Earth, the solar system, and the universe.

The scientific community, including UC Santa Cruz and advocates, emphasizes that continued NASA funding is crucial for technological innovation, inspiring future scientists, and societal benefits such as GPS and climate understanding.

Over 300 scientists and advocates protested on Capitol Hill, urging Congress to protect NASA's budget amid threats from a government shutdown and potential mass layoffs, which jeopardize future missions and U.S. leadership in space.

The White House's budget proposal also includes defunding over 40 projects, including Mars Sample Return and climate-focused missions, citing fiscal responsibility and affordability concerns.

While bipartisan opposition exists in Congress, advocates stress that passing legislation to protect NASA's budget is vital for maintaining U.S. leadership and scientific progress.

Media coverage, including CNN, highlights the potential impacts of these budget cuts on NASA's scientific missions and space exploration efforts.

The proposed cuts contrast sharply with China's accelerated space efforts, including plans for a Mars Sample Return by 2028 and other major planetary missions, emphasizing geopolitical competition.