NASA’s Budget Slashes Endanger UA’s OSIRIS and More ‘Ghost Spacecraft’ Missions

In an alarming turn of events, NASA’s proposed 2026 budget threatens to defund the University of Arizona-led OSIRIS-APEX mission. This spacecraft, currently orbiting the sun, is poised to study the asteroid Apophis, which is set to make a close approach to Earth in April 2029. The budget cuts could derail this unprecedented opportunity.

Dr. Daniella Mendoza DellaGiustina, director of the OSIRIS-APEX project, expressed grave concerns. “It would become a ghost spacecraft if left unattended,” she warned. Loss of funding would render the mission ineffective as it gets closer to the sun, jeopardizing vital research that could inform planetary defense strategies.

Apophis, discovered in 2004, initially raised concerns about potential impacts on Earth. While the current probability of collision stands at a mere 7 in 1 billion, its upcoming flyby will provide invaluable data. DellaGiustina notes that for 18 months after the approach, both APEX and Apophis will travel in proximity, allowing extensive observation.

Despite the mission’s alignment with national priorities for NASA, the budget proposal draws ire from scientists and lawmakers alike. “This administration has had a full frontal assault on science,” said U.S. Senator Mark Kelly. His remarks targeted the proposed cuts, warning that they undermine many hard-earned scientific initiatives.

The 2026 budget seeks significant reductions across NASA’s non-human exploration programs, with some facing cuts of nearly 50%. This reflects a shift in focus towards lunar and Martian ambitions, sidelining essential research that has far-reaching implications for our understanding of space.

In this context, Kristopher Klien, deputy principal investigator for the HelioSwarm mission, echoed similar sentiments. His mission, which studies solar winds and the effects on Earth’s atmosphere, also faces funding threats. “NASA lacks the leadership necessary to effectively advocate for our mission,” Klien stated, emphasizing the stagnation resulting from the absence of a confirmed administrator.

The forthcoming budget decision, pivotal for numerous scientific initiatives, comes amid broader ambitions for space exploration outlined by President Trump’s administration. However, critics argue that a Mars-focused agenda may come at a steep cost to ongoing research.

Apart from OSIRIS-APEX, numerous UA missions, employing around 3,300 personnel, contribute an estimated $275 million annually to the local economy. DellaGiustina compared their economic impact to hosting a Super Bowl every other year, highlighting the stakes involved in potential cuts.

As the September trajectory adjustment for APEX approaches, DellaGiustina remains focused. She’s also seeking alternative opportunities for her team in light of possible layoffs. The fiscal year begins on October 1, marking a crucial deadline for final budget decisions, though transparency remains an issue.

“I owe it to my team to fight for our research,” she stated with determination. The outcome of these budget discussions will ultimately have lasting repercussions on the future of space science and exploration.