Latest news with #HubbleSpaceTelescope
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Science
- Indian Express
Daily subject-wise quiz : Science and Technology MCQs on Small Modular Reactors, carbon dating and more (Week 115)
UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today's subject quiz on Science and Technology to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for May 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at With reference to the James Webb Space Telescope, consider the following statements: 1. It was launched by NASA in 2021. 2. It orbits around the Earth like the Hubble Space Telescope. 3. Its goal is to search for the first galaxies or luminous objects formed after the Big Bang, How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Explanation — The wonders of space continue to excite scientists and space enthusiasts alike. A new finding made with NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has sparked new enthusiasm and intrigue within the scientific community. — In a new study, researchers at Kansas State University discovered an unexpected pattern in how galaxies spin. They investigated 263 old galaxies with photos from the James Webb Space Telescope, some of which were formed 300 million years after the Big Bang. They determined that almost 60% of these galaxies rotate clockwise, contradicting the widely accepted belief that galaxy spins were random. About James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) — The JWST is an orbiting infrared observatory that will supplement and expand the Hubble Space Telescope's findings by providing extended wavelength coverage and significantly increased sensitivity. — Webb investigates every stage of our Universe's history, from the first brilliant glows after the Big Bang to the emergence of solar systems capable of supporting life on planets such as Earth, and the evolution of our own Solar System. — NASA launched Webb on December 25th, 2021. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — It does not orbit the Earth like the Hubble Space Telescope; instead, it orbits the Sun 1.5 million kilometres (1 million miles) away at the second Lagrange point, often known as L2. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. Mission Goals — Early Universe: Look for the first galaxies or light objects that emerged after the Big Bang. Hence, statement 3 is correct. — Galaxies Over Time: Determine how galaxies evolved from their formation until now. — Star Lifecycle: Follow the development of stars from their earliest stages to the formation of planetary systems. — Other Worlds: Measure the physical and chemical attributes of planetary systems, including our own Solar System, and examine the potential for life elsewhere. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. (Other Source: The Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis is used in: (a) Cosmic rays (b) Sighting for astronomical objects (c) DNA identification (d) for checking flight safety Explanation — Authorities are using DNA analysis to identify the remains of passengers killed in the Ahmedabad crash of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner. A small number of remains have already been recognised, and DNA samples from the victims' relatives have already been gathered. — Extracting DNA from the samples is the next step after collection. Scientists can then select from a variety of analytical techniques based on the quality of the DNA that was collected. — Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis: The method evaluates short tandem repeats, which are essentially short repeating sequences of DNA. STRs are used for DNA identification as they widely vary between individuals. 'After analysing 15 or more of these hyper-variable regions of DNA… the resulting profile can be used to ascertain family relationships with a high degree of confidence,' according to a report by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). — Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis: This method is used when nuclear DNA is degraded or unavailable. Mitochondrial DNA is found within the cell's energy-producing organelles known as mitochondria. As mtDNA is present in multiple copies within the cell, it is easier to recover from human remains that are not well preserved. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. Which of the following organisations have launched the Flagship 'Atoms4Food' Initiative to Expand the Use of Nuclear Techniques for Global Food Security? 1. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) 2. Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research 3. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre 4. Food and Agriculture Organisation Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 and 4 only (c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 3 and 4 Explanation — The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) inaugurated 'Atoms4Food', a new flagship effort to assist increase food security and combat global hunger. — The Atoms4Food effort will help countries adopt innovative nuclear technology to increase agricultural output, reduce food losses, ensure food safety, improve nutrition, and adapt to the challenges of climate change. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. (Source: With reference to the Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), consider the following statements: 1. They are suitable only for on-grid and not for off-grid applications. 2. These are cost-effective alternatives to conventional large nuclear reactors. 3. India is extensively researching Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to achieve net-zero emissions while maintaining energy security. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Explanation — India is extensively researching Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a critical component of its energy transition strategy, with the goal of achieving net-zero emissions while maintaining energy security. Hence, statement 3 is correct. — SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors with power generation capacities ranging from less than 30 MWe to over 300 MWe. — It offers a versatile, scalable, and cost-effective alternative to traditional big nuclear reactors. Hence, statement 2 is correct. — Given India's rising energy demands and the need for dependable, low-carbon power, SMRs can play a game-changing role in supplementing renewable energy sources and stabilising the grid. — SMRs' modular design enables factory-based manufacture, lowering construction deadlines and costs, making them suitable for both on-grid and off-grid applications, including distant deployment. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. With reference to carbon dating, consider the following statements: 1. The dating method is based on the fact that Carbon-12 (C-12), an isotope of carbon, is radioactive and decays at a well known rate. 2. The age of non-living things more than 40,000-50,000 years old can be determined through carbon dating. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation — Carbon dating is a frequently used method for determining the age of organic materials, which were previously alive. Carbon can exist in a variety of forms within living things. — The dating method is based on the fact that Carbon-14 (C-14), a radioactive isotope of carbon with an atomic mass of 14, decays at a predictable pace. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. — Plants acquire their carbon from photosynthesis, whereas animals obtain it primarily from food. Because plants and animals derive their carbon from the environment, they absorb C-12 and C-14 in nearly the same proportions as the atmosphere. — When they die, their interaction with the atmosphere ceases. While C-12 is stable, radioactive C-14 has a 'half-life' of approximately 5,730 years. — Carbon dating cannot be used in all cases. Carbon dating cannot be used to estimate the age of non-living items such as rocks, and it cannot determine the age of things older than 40,000–50,000 years. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 114) Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 115) Daily subject-wise quiz — Science and Technology (Week 114) Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 114) Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 114) Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 114) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Astrophotographer captures the heart of the Lagoon Nebula glowing below a cosmic Trifid (photo)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Astrophotographer Greg Meyer has captured a colorful view of the famous Trifid and Lagoon nebulas illuminated from within by radiation cast out by generations of energetic young stars. Both star-forming regions orbit within the Milky Way over 4,000 light-years from Earth in the constellation Sagittarius. Their relative brightness and intriguing structures make them a popular target for astrophotographers and scientists alike, who have used powerful observatories such as the Hubble Space Telescope to capture spectacular imagery of the stellar nurseries. The 100 light-year-long form of the Lagoon Nebula (Messier 8) can be found dominating the lower section of Meyer's image, with the dense starfield near the Milky Way's core serving as a backdrop for the deep-space vista. Clusters of bright, energetic stars can be seen sculpting knots of interstellar clouds towards the bottom of the image, as denser filaments of star-forming material cut dark profiles against the irradiated material beyond. Viewers can spot the iconic form of the Trifid Nebula (Messier 20) lurking in the upper right of Meyer's portrait. Colossal lanes of cosmic dust can be seen silhouetted against the glowing cloud of interstellar gas forming the bulk of the iconic nebula. A bright point of light can be seen nestled in the crook where two of the dust lanes intersect, revealing the presence of a population of newly formed, massive stars, which were imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2004. Meyer captured the ancient light cast out by the Lagoon and Trifid Nebula over 34 hours in May 2025, while observing under the near-pristine dark skies of Arizona, a little north of Ash Fork. Meyer used a Sky-Watcher Esprit 80mm telescope in conjunction with a Player One Poseidon M pro astronomy camera to collect the data — along with filters, a guide scope, and other peripherals — before editing it using Pixinsight and Adobe software. Editor's Note: If you would like to share your astrophotography with readers, then please send your photo(s), name, location and comments on your experiences capturing the shots to spacephotos@
The Hindu
13-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Astronomy gallery to be opened in Kozhikode on June 14
Minister for Tourism and Public Works P.A. Mohamed Riyas will inaugurate the state-of-the-art astronomy gallery at the Regional Science Centre and Planetarium in Kozhikode on Saturday (June 14, 2025). The gallery built at a cost of around ₹1.5 crore is intended to help people of all ages know the science of astronomy up close as well as entertain them. The interactive gallery has been built encompassing basic discoveries in astronomy over the years that changed the way humans think. Astronomy has answered questions such as the possibility of life in the sun, moon and other planets, what exactly the stars are, the science behind day, night, months, years, seasons, directions and galaxies. The gallery offers an insight into all these phenomena. Rather than just an exhibition, the gallery offers a deep and attractive learning experience to visitors through multimedia equipment. The visitors can experience the change from ancient astronomy to the present one. The first display that the visitors come across is a review of the contributions of the ancient scholars such as Aristotle, Ptolemy, Arya Bhatta, Bhaskara, and Copernicus. An animated model of the Grand Equatorial Sundial designed by Maharaja Savai Jai Singh of Jaipur, a life-size statue of Galileo Galilei observing the sky through a telescope, the evolution of telescopes, models of the solar system and various celestial objects beyond it and 3D videos of the same are part of the gallery. The Big-Bang Theory is being presented on a video wall. The gravity level of each planet in the Solar system is demonstrated in one of the booths. There are also interactive kiosks on advanced topics such as Multi-wavelength astronomy, Exoplanets, Astrobiology and Einstein's Spacetime Curve. There are scale models of the Hubble Space Telescope, its repair mission and the James Webb Telescope. Mayor Beena Philip will preside over the inaugural event to be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump Plan to Kill Dozens of NASA Missions Threatens US Space Supremacy
(Bloomberg) -- NASA's car-sized Perseverance rover has been roaming the surface of Mars for four years, drilling into the alien soil to collect dirt it places in tubes and leaves on the ground. Shuttered NY College Has Alumni Fighting Over Its Future Trump's Military Parade Has Washington Bracing for Tanks and Weaponry NYC Renters Brace for Price Hikes After Broker-Fee Ban NY Long Island Rail Service Resumes After Grand Central Fire Do World's Fairs Still Matter? Engineers designed Perseverance to be the first step in the agency's exploration of the Red Planet. In the future, more robotic spacecraft would arrive to sweep up the capsules and rocket them back to Earth, where scientists could look for signs that Mars once was, or is, a world with life. The wait for answers may be about to get longer. President Donald Trump's proposed 2026 budget for the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration would cancel the planned follow-on mission, potentially abandoning the tubes for decades to Martian dust storms. The White House is calling for a roughly 50% cut to NASA's science spending to $3.9 billion, part of an overall pullback that would deliver the lowest funding level in the agency's history and kill more more than 40 NASA science missions and projects, according to detailed plans released last month. The Trump administration has also left the agency without a permanent leader and without a vision for how America's civilian space policy is going to work with US allies and compete with China and other rivals. The cuts would follow a shift in how the American public thinks about space. NASA has long enjoyed a unique place in US culture, with its exploits celebrated by movies, theme parks and merchandise — but companies like Elon Musk's SpaceX have begun to capture more attention. For decades, NASA's scientific undertakings have provided critical groundwork for researchers seeking to understand the structure of the universe, study how planets form and hunt for evidence that life might exist beyond Earth. Pictures from NASA craft like the Hubble Space Telescope and the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope have inspired and delighted millions. Now, the agency's position at the vanguard of discovery is facing foreclosure. Among the other programs set to lose funding are a craft already on its way to rendezvous with an asteroid that's expected to pass close to Earth in 2029, and multiple efforts to map and explore the acidic clouds of Venus. Researchers worry that abandoning missions would mean investments made by earlier generations might be lost or forgotten. 'Once you launch and you're operating, then all those costs are behind you, and it's relatively inexpensive to just keep the missions going,' said Amanda Hendrix, the chief executive officer of the Planetary Science Institute, a nonprofit research organization. 'So I'm very concerned about these operating missions that are still producing excellent and really important science data.' The Trump administration's narrower vision for NASA comes as it is seeking to reduce waste and jobs in the US government. Critics have faulted NASA over sluggish management of key programs, spiraling costs and delays. Still, the administration is eager to pour more money into putting people in space. It wants to use $7 billion of the $18.8 billion it would allocate to NASA overall to ramp up efforts to return people to the moon, and invest $1 billion more in sending people to Mars. 'This is a NASA that would be primarily human spaceflight focused,' Casey Dreier, chief of space policy for The Planetary Society, a nonprofit that advocates for space science and exploration, said of the proposed changes. 'This is a NASA that would say, 'The universe is primarily the moon and Mars,' and basically step away from everything else.' There are signs that the administration's proposed cutbacks won't satisfy lawmakers who view space as vital to US interests. Senator Ted Cruz, the Texas Republican who leads a committee that oversees NASA, has proposed legislation that would would provide nearly $10 billion to the agency. 'American dominance in space is a national security imperative,' Cruz said in a statement to Bloomberg. 'The Commerce Committee's bill carefully invests in beating China to the Moon and Mars — while respecting every taxpayer dollar. It's rocket fuel for the commercial space companies and NASA that are working to keep America ahead of China in the Space Race.' As Trump's spending proposal moves through Congress, NASA has been left without a strong leader who can press its case after the president withdrew his nomination of billionaire commercial astronaut Jared Isaacman to run the agency. In a recent interview on the All-In Podcast, Isaacman appeared to suggest Trump pulled his nomination because of his close ties to Musk, who had a public falling out with the president. Trump threatened to cancel SpaceX's government contracts amid the row, but has since backed down. 'Stopping Jared from becoming confirmed is only going to hurt NASA's ability to push back on budget cuts,' Jim Muncy, a space consultant and lobbyist with PoliSpace, said before Isaacman's nomination was pulled. Spaceflight Shift For decades, NASA handled every step of launching rockets, probes and people into space, from developing, building and launching vehicles, to running missions. Only the government had the resources and the capacity to shoulder the risks without returning a profit. That all changed in recent years with the emergence of a vibrant US space industry dominated by wealthy entrepreneurs with a passion for spaceflight and the financial wherewithal to withstand repeated failure. Over time, NASA has ceded more design, development and production work to those companies. SpaceX is carrying cargo and astronauts to the International Space Station, and sending probes into deep space from a rented launchpad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. After helping to spur the development of SpaceX hardware, NASA is now one of the company's biggest customers. 'This has kind of been the tension with the rise of commercial space,' said Mike French, a consultant for the Space Policy Group. 'NASA has gone from 'We're operating these things; we're building these things' to 'We've gotten really good at buying these things.'' During Trump's presidency, NASA's transformation into an incubator for private industry is likely to gain speed. Throughout its budget proposal, the White House calls for mimicking past programs that have leaned more on outsourcing to the private sector. 'With a leaner budget across all of government, we are all taking a closer look at how we work, where we invest, and how we adjust our methods to accomplish our mission,' NASA's acting administrator, Janet Petro, wrote in a message accompanying the plan. 'At NASA, that means placing a renewed emphasis on human spaceflight, increasing investments in a sustainable plan to return to the Moon for long-term human exploration and accelerating efforts to send American astronauts to Mars.' NASA declined to comment beyond Petro's statement. NASA contracts remain one of the most significant and steady sources of funding for the space industry, which has allowed the agency to set the direction for many businesses. But that balance of power is shifting, and cuts to NASA's funding could cause its leadership to fade. 'NASA would, in a sense, define access and define the culture of spaceflight and define the ambitions of spaceflight,' Dreier said. 'Now, they have competitors for that, and frankly, some of their competitors are laying out more ambitious programs.' Challenging Missions While NASA has evolved into a technical adviser and financial backer for space companies, pure science has remained part of its mission. NASA's transition to more commercial partnerships was started, in part, to free up money to spend on exotic, challenging missions with no obvious near-term commercial rewards. Pulling back is likely to have consequences. Trump's broader push to curtail funding for science — the administration has choked off money for medical, climate and other research — risks eroding an important source of American soft power. After the end of the Cold War-era space race, NASA became a vessel for international cooperation, proving countries with lofty goals can work together. Many of the NASA missions Trump has proposed canceling or pulling away from entailed collaboration with European allies. The prospect of reduced funding is also causing worry about agency talent. Already, NASA is competing with the private space industry for engineers. Shutting down missions could push agency scientists to seek other opportunities. 'Folks are very worried about what they're going to do now with their lives, and where they're going to go,' said Hendrix, the Planetary Science Institute's CEO. The long-term outlook for NASA is difficult to discern. In the coming years, it is expected to continue its Artemis moon program, and start a new program for human exploration of Mars, with commercial companies at the forefront. But the scientific ambitions that long helped define NASA appear likely to become more limited. 'If we elect to say we no longer want to understand our origins, or we no longer want to challenge ourselves to see if there's life out in the cosmos, that is the equivalent of turning our heads down and burying ourselves in our cell phones when we're standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon,' said The Planetary Society's Dreier. 'We miss something more profound and big and deep that we otherwise have no access to in our modern society.' New Grads Join Worst Entry-Level Job Market in Years American Mid: Hampton Inn's Good-Enough Formula for World Domination The Spying Scandal Rocking the World of HR Software The SEC Pinned Its Hack on a Few Hapless Day Traders. The Full Story Is Far More Troubling Cavs Owner Dan Gilbert Wants to Donate His Billions—and Walk Again ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Trump plan to kill dozens of NASA missions threatens US space supremacy
NASA 's car-sized Perseverance rover has been roaming the surface of Mars for four years, drilling into the alien soil to collect dirt it places in tubes and leaves on the ground. Engineers designed Perseverance to be the first step in the agency's exploration of the Red Planet. In the future, more robotic spacecraft would arrive to sweep up the capsules and rocket them back to Earth, where scientists could look for signs that Mars once was, or is, a world with life. The wait for answers may be about to get longer. President Donald Trump 's proposed 2026 budget for the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration would cancel the planned follow-on mission, potentially abandoning the tubes for decades to Martian dust storms. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses Vietnam (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo The White House is calling for a roughly 50% cut to NASA's science spending to $3.9 billion, part of an overall pullback that would deliver the lowest funding level in the agency's history and kill more more than 40 NASA science missions and projects, according to detailed plans released last month. The Trump administration has also left the agency without a permanent leader and without a vision for how America's civilian space policy is going to work with US allies and compete with China and other rivals. The cuts would follow a shift in how the American public thinks about space. NASA has long enjoyed a unique place in US culture, with its exploits celebrated by movies, theme parks and merchandise — but companies like Elon Musk's SpaceX have begun to capture more attention. Live Events For decades, NASA's scientific undertakings have provided critical groundwork for researchers seeking to understand the structure of the universe, study how planets form and hunt for evidence that life might exist beyond Earth. Pictures from NASA craft like the Hubble Space Telescope and the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope have inspired and delighted millions. Now, the agency's position at the vanguard of discovery is facing foreclosure. Among the other programs set to lose funding are a craft already on its way to rendezvous with an asteroid that's expected to pass close to Earth in 2029, and multiple efforts to map and explore the acidic clouds of Venus. Researchers worry that abandoning missions would mean investments made by earlier generations might be lost or forgotten. 'Once you launch and you're operating, then all those costs are behind you, and it's relatively inexpensive to just keep the missions going,' said Amanda Hendrix, the chief executive officer of the Planetary Science Institute, a nonprofit research organization. 'So I'm very concerned about these operating missions that are still producing excellent and really important science data.' The Trump administration's narrower vision for NASA comes as it is seeking to reduce waste and jobs in the US government. Critics have faulted NASA over sluggish management of key programs, spiraling costs and delays. Still, the administration is eager to pour more money into putting people in space. It wants to use $7 billion of the $18.8 billion it would allocate to NASA overall to ramp up efforts to return people to the moon, and invest $1 billion more in sending people to Mars. 'This is a NASA that would be primarily human spaceflight focused,' Casey Dreier, chief of space policy for The Planetary Society, a nonprofit that advocates for space science and exploration, said of the proposed changes. 'This is a NASA that would say, 'The universe is primarily the moon and Mars,' and basically step away from everything else.' There are signs that the administration's proposed cutbacks won't satisfy lawmakers who view space as vital to US interests. Senator Ted Cruz, the Texas Republican who leads a committee that oversees NASA, has proposed legislation that would would provide nearly $10 billion to the agency. 'American dominance in space is a national security imperative,' Cruz said in a statement to Bloomberg. 'The Commerce Committee's bill carefully invests in beating China to the Moon and Mars — while respecting every taxpayer dollar. It's rocket fuel for the commercial space companies and NASA that are working to keep America ahead of China in the Space Race.' As Trump's spending proposal moves through Congress, NASA has been left without a strong leader who can press its case after the president withdrew his nomination of billionaire commercial astronaut Jared Isaacman to run the agency. In a recent interview on the All-In Podcast, Isaacman appeared to suggest Trump pulled his nomination because of his close ties to Musk, who had a public falling out with the president. Trump threatened to cancel SpaceX's government contracts amid the row, but has since backed down. 'Stopping Jared from becoming confirmed is only going to hurt NASA's ability to push back on budget cuts,' Jim Muncy, a space consultant and lobbyist with PoliSpace, said before Isaacman's nomination was pulled. Spaceflight Shift For decades, NASA handled every step of launching rockets, probes and people into space, from developing, building and launching vehicles, to running missions. Only the government had the resources and the capacity to shoulder the risks without returning a profit. That all changed in recent years with the emergence of a vibrant US space industry dominated by wealthy entrepreneurs with a passion for spaceflight and the financial wherewithal to withstand repeated failure. Over time, NASA has ceded more design, development and production work to those companies. SpaceX is carrying cargo and astronauts to the International Space Station, and sending probes into deep space from a rented launchpad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. After helping to spur the development of SpaceX hardware, NASA is now one of the company's biggest customers. 'This has kind of been the tension with the rise of commercial space,' said Mike French, a consultant for the Space Policy Group . 'NASA has gone from 'We're operating these things; we're building these things' to 'We've gotten really good at buying these things.'' During Trump's presidency, NASA's transformation into an incubator for private industry is likely to gain speed. Throughout its budget proposal, the White House calls for mimicking past programs that have leaned more on outsourcing to the private sector. 'With a leaner budget across all of government, we are all taking a closer look at how we work, where we invest, and how we adjust our methods to accomplish our mission,' NASA's acting administrator, Janet Petro, wrote in a message accompanying the plan. 'At NASA, that means placing a renewed emphasis on human spaceflight, increasing investments in a sustainable plan to return to the Moon for long-term human exploration and accelerating efforts to send American astronauts to Mars.' NASA declined to comment beyond Petro's statement. NASA contracts remain one of the most significant and steady sources of funding for the space industry, which has allowed the agency to set the direction for many businesses. But that balance of power is shifting, and cuts to NASA's funding could cause its leadership to fade. 'NASA would, in a sense, define access and define the culture of spaceflight and define the ambitions of spaceflight,' Dreier said. 'Now, they have competitors for that, and frankly, some of their competitors are laying out more ambitious programs.' Challenging Missions While NASA has evolved into a technical adviser and financial backer for space companies, pure science has remained part of its mission. NASA's transition to more commercial partnerships was started, in part, to free up money to spend on exotic, challenging missions with no obvious near-term commercial rewards. Pulling back is likely to have consequences. Trump's broader push to curtail funding for science — the administration has choked off money for medical, climate and other research — risks eroding an important source of American soft power. After the end of the Cold War-era space race, NASA became a vessel for international cooperation, proving countries with lofty goals can work together. Many of the NASA missions Trump has proposed canceling or pulling away from entailed collaboration with European allies. The prospect of reduced funding is also causing worry about agency talent. Already, NASA is competing with the private space industry for engineers. Shutting down missions could push agency scientists to seek other opportunities. 'Folks are very worried about what they're going to do now with their lives, and where they're going to go,' said Hendrix, the Planetary Science Institute's CEO. The long-term outlook for NASA is difficult to discern. In the coming years, it is expected to continue its Artemis moon program, and start a new program for human exploration of Mars, with commercial companies at the forefront. But the scientific ambitions that long helped define NASA appear likely to become more limited. 'If we elect to say we no longer want to understand our origins, or we no longer want to challenge ourselves to see if there's life out in the cosmos, that is the equivalent of turning our heads down and burying ourselves in our cell phones when we're standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon,' said The Planetary Society's Dreier. 'We miss something more profound and big and deep that we otherwise have no access to in our modern society.'
