Members of Congress Urge White House to Reverse NASA Cuts to Mars Sample Return Program, Citing Job Losses and Lost Science
In a recent development, more than 40 members of Congress from California have come together to request the White House to reverse the cuts imposed by NASA on the Mars Sample Return (MSR) program. The lawmakers are concerned about potential job losses and the detrimental impact on scientific progress if these cuts are not reversed.
The letter, dated February 1, was addressed to Shalanda Young, director of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget. It marks an escalation of an earlier request made by many of the same members in November to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. The initial request aimed to undo a slowdown in spending on the MSR program, which was prompted by uncertainties in fiscal year 2024 appropriations.
Leading the charge in this effort are Reps. Judy Chu and Adam Schiff, along with Sen. Alex Padilla, all representing California. They were joined by 41 other members of California’s congressional delegation. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which serves as the lead center for MSR, is located in California, further emphasizing the state’s stake in this matter.
NASA officials had previously announced in November that they would begin scaling back activities related to MSR due to discrepancies in spending bills. While a House appropriations bill supported NASA’s full request of $949.3 million for MSR, its Senate counterpart only included $300 million. As a result, NASA reduced its MSR spending, citing concerns that if the Senate bill were enacted, MSR could run out of funding for 2024 if it continued spending at the higher rate from 2023.
However, the members of Congress who penned the letter rejected this argument, calling it “short-sighted and misguided.” They emphasized that this decision would not only result in job losses but also a decade of lost scientific progress. They further stated that it contradicts the authority granted to Congress.
While Congress has yet to finalize a full-year 2024 spending package, progress has been made in recent weeks. Allocations have been provided to the 12 appropriations subcommittees, allowing them to determine the available funds. The current continuing resolution (CR) that funds NASA is in effect until March 8.
The letter indicates that there may be progress in resolving the funding differences between the House and Senate for MSR. It states that House Appropriations Committee leadership is working closely with their Senate colleagues to reach a compromise position.
If the current reductions are not reversed, the consequences could be severe. The letter warns that JPL, the lead center for MSR, would not be able to meet the next launch window. This would lead to the cancellation of billions of dollars in contracts and the termination of hundreds of highly skilled employees.
The impact of the cuts has already been felt at JPL, as the center laid off 100 contractors in January, most of whom were involved in MSR. Uncertainty surrounding the 2024 budget was cited as a key reason for these layoffs and other cost-cutting measures.
Laurie Leshin, director of JPL, explained that they received direction from NASA to plan for the lower funding level and are systematically implementing those plans. This includes assessing on-site contractors working on MSR and potentially extending layoffs to full-time staff if funding aligns with the Senate bill.
Adding to the uncertainty is an ongoing agency reassessment of the overall MSR architecture. An independent review found that the current approach to MSR is behind schedule and over budget. NASA is expected to complete this reassessment in March, which could potentially result in a modified mission architecture that simplifies the program and reduces costs.
The letter from Congress acknowledges this reassessment and suggests that it could address concerns expressed in the Senate appropriations bill for FY2024. However, NASA has not publicly disclosed any details regarding potential alternative mission architectures.
The fate of the Mars Sample Return program hangs in the balance as members of Congress urge the White House to reverse the cuts imposed by NASA. The potential loss of jobs and setbacks in scientific progress are at the forefront of their concerns. As Congress works towards finalizing the 2024 spending package, the hope is that a compromise can be reached to ensure the continuation of this vital program. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future of MSR and its impact on space exploration.
