Trump Targets Two Critical NASA Missions for Cancellation
Carbon and plant monitoring satellites face termination.
President Donald Trump’s administration is pushing to cancel two NASA missions critical for tracking carbon dioxide and plant health, risking the loss of vital data for scientists, farmers, and policymakers. The Orbiting Carbon Observatories, comprising a 2014 satellite and a 2019 International Space Station instrument, offer unmatched accuracy in monitoring greenhouse gas emissions and crop vitality.
Trump’s 2026 budget proposal eliminates funding for these missions, with NASA claiming they are “beyond their prime mission” and misaligned with the administration’s priorities. However, David Crisp, a retired NASA scientist who spearheaded their development, called them a “national asset,” noting their superior sensitivity compared to any global alternatives. The missions revealed that the Amazon rainforest emits more carbon dioxide than it absorbs, while boreal forests in Canada and Russia absorb more, and they track photosynthesis to predict droughts and food shortages.
“This is critical for our rapidly-changing planet,” Crisp said. University of Michigan climate scientist Jonathan Overpeck labeled the decision “extremely shortsighted,” emphasizing its importance for managing climate impacts. Michael Mann of the University of Pennsylvania suggested the move aims to obscure climate change, stating, “If we stop measuring it, it will disappear from American consciousness.”
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With funding secured until September 30, 2025, advocates hope Congress will intervene. A Senate bill supports the missions, but a House bill aligns with Trump’s cuts. If no budget is passed by October 1, a temporary funding resolution could sustain operations, though some fear the administration may block it. Congressional Democrats have warned acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy that terminating funded missions is illegal.
Crisp is seeking international partners, including Japan and Europe, to fund the space station instrument, with NASA accepting proposals until August 29. The free-flying satellite, covering more of the globe, risks atmospheric burn-up unless external control is permitted, a process complicated by legal restrictions on transferring U.S. satellite control. Crisp is also appealing to billionaires and foundations but cautioned that relying on private funding is “a really bad idea.”
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