In this episode, the (domestic) American sector of Astro[sound]bites covers the recent proposed budget cuts to NASA, the largest in NASA’s entire history. We cover the downsides that these cuts would have for science and the economy, and what you can do to speak out.

How to reach out:

Find your representative:

https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

AAS Letter Writing Guidelines for Astronomers: 

https://aas.org/advocacy/get-involved/action-alerts/action-alert-2025-support-science

Planetary Society Letter Writing Guidelines for the General Public

https://www.planetary.org/advocacy-action-center#/53

Astrobite with Guidelines for Letter Writing

https://astrobites.org/2025/04/15/help_nasa/

Sources: 

The Budget Request (NASA Stuff begins on page 39 of the pdf)

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Fiscal-Year-2026-Discretionary-Budget-Request.pdf

Original ArsTechnica Report:

https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/04/trump-white-house-budget-proposal-eviscerates-science-funding-at-nasa/

NASA’s economic output:

https://www.nasa.gov/fy-2023-economic-impact-report/#:~:text=NASA%20Boosts%20the%20U.S.%20Economy,D.C.%2C%20in%20fiscal%20year%202023.

NASA’s economic output reaches all 50 states:

https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasas-economic-benefit-reaches-all-50-states/

NASA’s research on climate change

https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change/

NASA’s research on asteroid defense

https://science.nasa.gov/planetary-defense/

NASA Education and Outreach

https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/space/education-outreach/

Cuts disproportionately affect marginalized groups:

https://www.fastcompany.com/91328007/trumps-federal-layoffs-are-disproportionately-impacting-women-and-people-of-color