NASA delays decision on budget cuts for Hubble and Chandra space telescopes

NASA is delaying a final decision on possible cost cuts that determine fate Chandra X-ray Observatory and will influence the science program of the Hubble Space Telescope. While no official word has been given as to the reason for this delay, it appears NASA is keeping its options open until it confirms its budget for the new fiscal year.

In this long-running saga, Chandra’s neck remains on the chopping block. Together, the Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory account for 10% of NASA’s astrophysics budget. The two orbiting telescopes are part of NASA’s Great Observatories program, along with the now-defunct telescope. Spitzer Space Telescope and Compton Gamma-ray Observatory. Although both Hubble and Chandra are in their twilight years, having launched in 1990 and 1999 respectively, they are both still producing valuable scientific information.

Despite the continued superiority of Hubble and Chandra, and the fact that they were noted in the most recent Ten Year Review As funding priorities, Chandra’s annual budget could be cut by 40%, from $68.3 million to $41.1 million, with further cuts each subsequent year until 2029, when its budget would be just $5.2 million. Meanwhile, Hubble faces with its budget cut by 10% from $98.3 million to $88.9 million.

Faced with these potential cuts, NASA convened an independent panel of eight astronomers, the Operations Paradigm Change Review (OPCR), to evaluate how these cuts could be implemented. The team’s conclusion in July was dire: Chandra could not continue to operate on a $41.1 million budget. This would effectively end the X-ray observatory’s mission. Although NASA has other X-ray missions, such as the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) and the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER), none have the comprehensive capabilities, angular resolution, or sensitivity of Chandra. A recent decade-long study proposed a new class of missions called the Probe Class with a budget of several billion dollars that could be a step forward for a new X-ray mission, but there are no new X-ray missions that could replace Chandra. currently on the drawing board.

IN open letter In July, David Pooley of Trinity University in Texas, who chairs the Chandra Users Committee, sent NASA astrophysics leaders and the Chandra science community NASA’s decision to cut Chandra costs.

“The telescope continues to perform exceptionally well and continues to generate cutting-edge science,” Pooley said. “Chandra provides an important and unique scientific capability that will not be replaced by another US telescope for at least a decade, and possibly two.”

The reason for NASA’s delay in making a final decision on this matter is unclear. All government agencies are currently operating at 2024 spending levels, although the new fiscal year began Oct. 1, due in part to the upcoming election and the uncertainty it brings. NASA appears reluctant to pull the trigger until the agency’s budget is approved.

Meanwhile, while the continued operation of the Hubble Space Telescope is not in jeopardy, a proposed 10% cut to its budget will reduce its ability to conduct scientific research. OPCR has proposed three options for applying this funding reduction. One such option would be to reduce the funding provided to astronomers through Hubble’s Common Observer Programs. Another option would be to remove up to five of Hubble’s nine observing modes, including its infrared capabilities and possibly its ultraviolet capabilities. Although now the infrared mode is mainly covered James Webb Space TelescopeNASA does not currently have another ultraviolet space mission, although UVEX – Ultraviolet Explorerscheduled to launch in 2030.

The final option would be to cut Hubble’s operating costs, which would entail staff layoffs, which could increase risks for the telescope because there would be fewer experienced staff on staff if a major problem were to arise with the orbiting observatory.

A silver spaceship with a wing made of solar panels above the Earth.

The Hubble Space Telescope is facing a 10% cut in spending, jeopardizing some of its science programs. (Image credit: NASA)

Ultimately, for both space telescopes, the end result could be a decrease in the time available to astronomers for scientific work. For example, if Chandra were reduced to observing only transients and multi-envoy astronomy by participating in cooperative observing programs with other observatories, it would save $20 million on its budget, but its available observing time would be cut in half. However, even this last resort would require a higher budget than the $41.1 million currently being discussed.

It is possible that new money will still be found for NASA’s overall budget. NASA currently proposes by 2025 $25.434 billionwhich is half a percent of the total federal budget, but the situation could still change. If there are no new federal funds, another option would be for NASA to get funding from other parts of its science directorate, but that would mean cutting spending on other missions. Given the furore this would cause in other parts of society, such a choice seems unlikely.

So Chandra enters 2025 in increasingly choppy waters, its fate perilous and far from sealed. Without knowing the exact reason for the delay in announcing what will happen to Chandra and Hubble, it’s hard to say whether we should read too much into it.

“Great observatories like Chandra are precious,” Pooley wrote in his open letter. “They are a national treasure.”

NASA delays decision on budget cuts for Hubble and Chandra space telescopes

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