Latest news with #OrbitingCarbonObservatories
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Trump moves to shut down NASA missions that measure carbon dioxide and plant health
The Trump administration is moving to shut down two NASA missions that monitor a potent greenhouse gas and plant health, potentially shutting off an important source of data for scientists, policymakers and farmers. President Trump's budget request for fiscal year 2026 includes no money for the Orbiting Carbon Observatories, which can precisely show where carbon dioxide is being emitted and absorbed and how well crops are growing. NASA said in an emailed statement Wednesday that the missions were 'beyond their prime mission' and being terminated 'to align with the President's agenda and budget priorities.' But the missions — a free-flying satellite launched in 2014 and an instrument attached to the International Space Station in 2019 that include technology used in the Hubble Space Telescope — still are more sensitive and accurate than any other systems in the world, operating or planned, and a 'national asset' that should be saved, said David Crisp, a retired NASA scientist who led their development. They helped scientists discover, for example, that the Amazon rain forest emits more carbon dioxide than it absorbs, while boreal forests in Canada, Russia and places where permafrost is melting absorb more than they emit, Crisp said. They also can detect the 'glow' of photosynthesis in plants, which helps monitor drought and predict food shortages that can lead to civil unrest and famine, he said. 'This is really critical,' Crisp said. 'We're learning so much about this rapidly changing planet.' The decision to end the missions is 'extremely shortsighted,' said Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist at the University of Michigan. 'The observations provided by these satellites ... [are] critical for managing growing climate change impacts around the planet, including in the U.S.,' he said. Crisp and others hope Congress will vote to preserve funding for the missions, which are funded through the fiscal year that ends Sept. 30. A bill in the House closely aligns with the president's request and would eliminate the missions, while a Senate version preserves them. But with Congress in recess, it is unclear whether a budget will be adopted before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. If it doesn't, Congress could adopt a resolution to continue current funding until a budget is passed, though some lawmakers fear the Trump administration could try to delay or withhold that money. Congressional Democrats warned acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy last month that it would be illegal to terminate missions or impound funds already appropriated by Congress. Experts said the administration's move to eliminate funding aligns with other actions to cut or bury climate science. 'The principle seems to be that if we stop measuring climate change it will just disappear from the American consciousness,' said University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann. Crisp and others also are trying to put together a coalition of outside partners — including from Japan and Europe — that could fund and operate the instrument attached to the space station. NASA said it will accept outside proposals through Aug. 29. The free-flying satellite, though, is at risk of being brought down, meaning it would burn up in the atmosphere. National Public Radio first reported that NASA employees were making plans to end the missions. Crisp said advocates are hoping NASA also allows outside control of that satellite, which covers more of the globe, but there are legal hurdles to overcome because it would mean giving control of a U.S. satellite to a group that could include foreign partners. 'We're going out to billionaires. We're going out to foundations,' Crisp said. 'But ... it's a really, really bad idea to try and push it off onto private industry or private individuals or private donors. It just doesn't make sense.' Webber writes for the Associated Press.
2 days ago
- Politics
Trump moves to shut down NASA missions that measure carbon dioxide and plant health
The Trump administration is moving to shut down two NASA missions that monitor a potent greenhouse gas and plant health, potentially shutting off an important source of data for scientists, policymakers and farmers. President Donald Trump's budget request for fiscal year 2026 includes no money for the Orbiting Carbon Observatories, which can precisely show where carbon dioxide is being emitted and absorbed and how well crops are growing. NASA said in an emailed statement Wednesday that the missions were 'beyond their prime mission' and being terminated 'to align with the President's agenda and budget priorities.' But the missions — a free-flying satellite launched in 2014 and an instrument attached to the International Space Station in 2019 that include technology used in the Hubble Space Telescope — still are more sensitive and accurate than any other systems in the world, operating or planned, and a 'national asset' that should be saved, said David Crisp, a retired NASA scientist who led their development. They helped scientists discover, for example, that the Amazon rain forest emits more carbon dioxide than it absorbs, while boreal forests in Canada, Russia and places where permafrost is melting absorb more than they emit, Crisp said. They also can detect the 'glow' of photosynthesis in plants, which helps monitor drought and predict food shortages that can lead to civil unrest and famine, he said. 'This is really critical,' Crisp said. 'We're learning so much about this rapidly changing planet.' The decision to end the missions is 'extremely shortsighted,' said Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist at the University of Michigan. 'The observations provided by these satellites ... (are) critical for managing growing climate change impacts around the planet, including in the U.S.," he said. Crisp and others hope Congress will vote to preserve funding for the missions, which are funded through the fiscal year that ends Sept. 30. A bill in the House closely aligns with the president's request and would eliminate the missions, while a Senate version preserves them. But with Congress in recess, it is unclear whether a budget will be adopted before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. If it doesn't, Congress could adopt a resolution to continue current funding until a budget is passed, though some lawmakers fear the Trump administration could try to delay or withhold that money. Congressional Democrats warned acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy last month that it would be illegal to terminate missions or impound funds already appropriated by Congress. Experts said the administration's move to eliminate funding aligns with other actions to cut or bury climate science. 'The principle seems to be that if we stop measuring climate change it will just disappear from the American consciousness,' said University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann. Crisp and others also are trying to put together a coalition of outside partners — including from Japan and Europe — that could fund and operate the instrument attached to the space station. NASA said it will accept outside proposals through Aug. 29. The free-flying satellite, though, is at risk of being brought down, meaning it would burn up in the atmosphere. National Public Radio first reported that NASA employees were making plans to end the missions. Crisp said advocates are hoping NASA also allows outside control of that satellite, which covers more of the globe, but there are legal hurdles to overcome because it would mean giving control of a U.S. satellite to a group that could include foreign partners. 'We're going out to billionaires. We're going out to foundations,' Crisp said. 'But ... it's a really, really bad idea to try and push it off onto private industry or private individuals or private donors. It just doesn't make sense.'
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Trump moves to shut down NASA missions that measure carbon dioxide and plant health
The Trump administration is moving to shut down two NASA missions that monitor a potent greenhouse gas and plant health, potentially shutting off an important source of data for scientists, policymakers and farmers. U.S. President Donald Trump's budget request for fiscal year 2026 includes no money for the Orbiting Carbon Observatories, which can precisely show where carbon dioxide is being emitted and absorbed and how well crops are growing. NASA said in an emailed statement on Wednesday (August 6) that the missions were "beyond their prime mission" and being terminated "to align with the President's agenda and budget priorities". But the missions — a free-flying satellite launched in 2014 and an instrument attached to the International Space Station in 2019 that include technology used in the Hubble Space Telescope — still are more sensitive and accurate than any other systems in the world, operating or planned, and a "national asset" that should be saved, said David Crisp, a retired NASA scientist who led their development. They helped scientists discover, for example, that the Amazon rain forest emits more carbon dioxide than it absorbs, while boreal forests in Canada, Russia and places where permafrost is melting absorb more than they emit, Mr. Crisp said. They also can detect the "glow" of photosynthesis in plants, which helps monitor drought and predict food shortages that can lead to civil unrest and famine, he said. "This is really critical," Mr. Crisp said. "We are learning so much about this rapidly-changing planet." The decision to end the missions is "extremely shortsighted", said Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist at the University of Michigan. "The observations provided by these satellites ... (are) critical for managing growing climate change impacts around the planet, including in the U.S.," he said. Looking to Congress Mr. Crisp and others hope Congress will vote to preserve funding for the missions, which are funded through the fiscal year that ends on September 30. A bill in the House closely aligns with the president's request and would eliminate the missions, while a Senate version preserves them. But with Congress in recess, it is unclear whether a budget will be adopted before the new fiscal year that begins on October 1. If it does not, Congress could adopt a resolution to continue current funding until a budget is passed, though some lawmakers fear the Trump administration could try to delay or withhold that money. Congressional Democrats warned acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy last month that it would be illegal to terminate missions or impound funds already appropriated by Congress. Experts said the administration's move to eliminate funding aligns with other actions to cut or bury climate science. "The principle seems to be that if we stop measuring climate change, it will just disappear from the American consciousness," said University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann. Backup plan Mr. Crisp and others are also trying to put together a coalition of outside partners — including those from Japan and Europe — that could fund and operate the instrument attached to the space station. NASA said it will accept outside proposals through August 29. The free-flying satellite, though, is at risk of being brought down, meaning it would burn up in the atmosphere. National Public Radio first reported that NASA employees were making plans to end the missions. Mr. Crisp said advocates are hoping NASA also allows outside control of that satellite, which covers more of the globe, but there are legal hurdles to overcome because it would mean giving control of a U.S. satellite to a group that could include foreign partners. "We are going out to billionaires. We are going out to foundations," Mr. Crisp said. "But ... it is a really, really bad idea to try and push it off onto private industry or private individuals or private donors. It just does not make sense."
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Trump to shut down NASA missions that monitor carbon dioxide and plant heath
The Trump administration is moving to shut down two NASA missions that monitor a potent greenhouse gas and plant health, potentially shutting off an important source of data for scientists, policymakers and farmers. NASA said in an emailed statement on Wednesday that the missions were "beyond their prime mission" and being terminated "to align with the President's agenda and budget priorities".(AP File Photo) President Donald Trump's budget request for fiscal year 2026 includes no money for the Orbiting Carbon Observatories, which can precisely show where carbon dioxide is being emitted and absorbed and how well crops are growing. NASA said in an emailed statement on Wednesday that the missions were "beyond their prime mission" and being terminated "to align with the President's agenda and budget priorities". But the missions -- a free-flying satellite launched in 2014 and an instrument attached to the International Space Station in 2019 that include technology used in the Hubble Space Telescope -- still are more sensitive and accurate than any other systems in the world, operating or planned, and a "national asset" that should be saved, said David Crisp, a retired NASA scientist who led their development. They helped scientists discover, for example, that the Amazon rain forest emits more carbon dioxide than it absorbs, while boreal forests in Canada, Russia and places where permafrost is melting absorb more than they emit, Crisp said. They also can detect the "glow" of photosynthesis in plants, which helps monitor drought and predict food shortages that can lead to civil unrest and famine, he said. "This is really critical," Crisp said. "We are learning so much about this rapidly-changing planet." The decision to end the missions is "extremely shortsighted", said Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist at the University of Michigan. "The observations provided by these satellites ... (are) critical for managing growing climate change impacts around the planet, including in the US," he said. Looking to Congress Crisp and others hope Congress will vote to preserve funding for the missions, which are funded through the fiscal year that ends on September 30. A bill in the House closely aligns with the president's request and would eliminate the missions, while a Senate version preserves them. But with Congress in recess, it is unclear whether a budget will be adopted before the new fiscal year that begins on October 1. If it does not, Congress could adopt a resolution to continue current funding until a budget is passed, though some lawmakers fear the Trump administration could try to delay or withhold that money. Congressional Democrats warned acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy last month that it would be illegal to terminate missions or impound funds already appropriated by Congress. Experts said the administration's move to eliminate funding aligns with other actions to cut or bury climate science. "The principle seems to be that if we stop measuring climate change, it will just disappear from the American consciousness," said University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann. Backup plan Crisp and others also are trying to put together a coalition of outside partners -- including from Japan and Europe -- that could fund and operate the instrument attached to the space station. NASA said it will accept outside proposals through August 29. The free-flying satellite, though, is at risk of being brought down, meaning it would burn up in the atmosphere. National Public Radio first reported that NASA employees were making plans to end the missions. Crisp said advocates are hoping NASA also allows outside control of that satellite, which covers more of the globe, but there are legal hurdles to overcome because it would mean giving control of a US satellite to a group that could include foreign partners. "We are going out to billionaires. We are going out to foundations," Crisp said. 'But ... it is a really, really bad idea to try and push it off onto private industry or private individuals or private donors. It just does not make sense.'
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Trump administration moves to shut down NASA carbon monitoring missions
The Trump administration is looking to end two NASA missions that monitor carbon dioxide emissions and plant health, tools experts say are crucial in the global fight against climate change. According to the Associated Press, President Donald Trump's proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year allocates no funding for the Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCO) program. These include a free-flying satellite launched in 2014 and a high-precision instrument attached to the International Space Station since 2019. NASA, in a statement emailed on Wednesday, said the missions are 'beyond their prime mission' and are being terminated 'to align with the President's agenda and budget priorities.' Despite the administration's stance, climate scientists warn that the two missions are far from obsolete. David Crisp, a retired NASA scientist who led their development, described the observatories as 'more sensitive and accurate than any other systems in the world,' reported AP, and a 'national asset'. Among their breakthroughs are discovering that the Amazon rainforest now emits more carbon dioxide than it absorbs, and that boreal forests in Canada and Russia are becoming unexpected carbon sinks. The satellites can also detect photosynthesis in plants, which helps monitor droughts and predict food shortages, a factor closely linked to civil unrest and famine. 'This is really critical,' Crisp said. 'We're learning so much about this rapidly changing planet.' The missions remain funded through the end of the current fiscal year on September 30. However, the future remains uncertain. A House bill closely aligns with Trump's request and would eliminate the missions, while a Senate version preserves them. With Congress currently in recess, it's unclear if a final budget will be approved before October 1. Lawmakers may opt for a temporary resolution to maintain current funding. Some congressional Democrats have also warned NASA that terminating missions or withholding appropriated funds could be illegal, according to AP. In a last-ditch effort, Crisp and other scientists are looking to build an international coalition, including partners from Japan and Europe, to keep the ISS-mounted instrument operational. NASA has announced it will accept outside proposals through August 29. However, the free-flying satellite may be de-orbited, causing it to burn up in Earth's atmosphere. According to National Public Radio, NASA personnel have already begun planning for its shutdown. Efforts are also underway to find private or philanthropic funding to keep the satellite running, though Crisp called this a flawed solution. 'It's a really, really bad idea to try and push it off onto private industry or private individuals or private donors,' he said according to AP. 'It just doesn't make sense.' (With inputs from AP, The Mirror US)
