Future of NASA Scientific Balloon Facility in Palestine in question due to proposed budget cuts
PALESTINE, Texas (KETK) – The future of the NASA's balloon launches at the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Palestine is coming into question due to proposed budget cuts for 2026.
PHOTOS: Inside NASA's Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility near Palestine
According to a NASA 2026 budget technical supplement released on Tuesday, cuts are being made to the the NASA Astrophysics Research program to align with President Donald Trump's Budget Request for 2026.
These cuts include the Balloons, Astrophysics Data Analysis Program, which would have it's 2026 budget eliminated entirely. In a statement shared with KETK by a NASA scientist at the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Palestine, NASA officials urged calm because they are still in the budget negotiation process.
The Palestine facility launches 15 scientific balloons for NASA each year and is a NASA funded federal facility that would close without federal funding.
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