Summary
The Trump administration plans to end two NASA missions that observe carbon dioxide levels and plant health by not funding them in the 2026 budget. These missions provide important data for scientists and help monitor environmental changes, like carbon emissions and plant photosynthesis. Some experts and lawmakers are working to keep the missions funded, possibly with help from international partners.
Key Facts
- The Trump administration's 2026 budget proposal does not include funding for NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatories.
- These missions track carbon dioxide emissions and measure plant photosynthesis.
- Experts consider the data from these missions crucial for understanding climate changes.
- The missions include a satellite launched in 2014 and an instrument on the International Space Station from 2019.
- Congress is debating whether to continue funding, with differing views in the House and Senate.
- Ending the missions aligns with other administration efforts to minimize climate science programs.
- A coalition of international partners may seek to fund the missions independently.
- Legal and operational challenges exist in allowing international partners to manage the satellite.