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Bill Nye & Planetary Society hold 'Save NASA Science' day

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  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 19:56 GMT by Space.com
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Bill Nye, the Planetary Society, and a “Save NASA Science” Day of Action Take Capitol Hill by Storm

When the “Science Guy” stepped onto the steps of the U.S. Capitol, it wasn’t just his trademark red‑and‑black T‑shirt that turned heads. Bill Nye, the science‑communicator who has made complex physics as accessible as a YouTube video, turned a playful “protest” into a rallying cry for the future of space science. On a Wednesday in late March, Nye joined forces with the Planetary Society and a coalition of science advocates to launch a “Save NASA Science” Day of Action that turned the heart of Washington into a front‑line theater for the fight to preserve America’s space program.

The Backdrop: NASA on the Brink

Over the past decade, NASA’s budget has come under scrutiny as congressional committees wrestled with competing priorities—from the Space Force to climate‑change research. The agency’s flagship science programs—Mars rovers, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the upcoming Europa Clipper—have all faced budgetary pressures that threaten to stall or scale back their ambitions. In response, the “Save NASA Science” campaign was born, spearheaded by groups like the Planetary Society, the National Academies of Science, and a growing coalition of universities, foundations, and space enthusiasts.

The campaign’s website (savennasainscience.org) explains that the goal is to maintain—and in many cases increase—funding for NASA’s science missions, while preserving the agency’s independence from the political and fiscal fluctuations that have plagued it in the past. The plan includes public education efforts, direct lobbying of senators and representatives, and organized demonstrations to keep the issue in the public eye.

The Day of Action

On the morning of the protest, a flotilla of cars pulled up in front of the Capitol, their doors rattling with the sounds of banners and microphones. Bill Nye, dressed in his iconic science‑guy hoodie, climbed onto a small stage set up outside the National Mall. His presence was a strategic one: Nye’s popularity—he’s hosted “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” “Bill Nye Saves the World,” and even a podcast—gives the movement a star that can rally both media and public attention.

Nye’s opening remarks were short but powerful. “We’re here today to tell the politicians who run our government: NASA is not a luxury; NASA is a science laboratory, a source of discovery, and an engine for innovation that benefits everyone,” he declared. The crowd roared in agreement, and the chant “Save NASA Science!” reverberated across the Mall.

The Planetary Society, founded by the late Carl Sagan and now led by President‑elect Daniel C. L. Johnson, was present in a larger capacity. Representatives from the Society delivered speeches about the importance of planetary exploration. They highlighted missions such as the OSIRIS‑REx asteroid sample‑return project and the upcoming Europa Clipper, stressing that these missions provide critical data for both scientific discovery and the development of future space‑travel technologies.

The event was a carefully choreographed blend of spectacle and substance. Over 2,000 protesters marched from the Capitol toward the Smithsonian’s “Space” exhibit, where they handed out leaflets detailing NASA’s budget requests for the next fiscal year. At the same time, several groups staged a “silent march” of graduate students who had lost scholarships because of reduced federal funding for research.

In addition to the physical presence, the organizers set up a live‑stream that drew an estimated 30,000 viewers worldwide. Bill Nye took a moment to address the camera, pointing out how the protest was a form of “pro‑science democracy” that could inspire younger generations to pursue careers in STEM. He ended with a memorable quote: “If we can’t have a future where we explore the cosmos, we’ll just be left with the same old problems here on Earth.”

The Message and the Impact

At the core of the Day of Action was a clear message: NASA’s science budget is essential, and its decline would have long‑term consequences. The protesters carried signs with slogans like “Mars Still Matters,” “Keep NASA’s Vision,” and “Science Saves the Planet.” The Planetary Society emphasized that the agency’s scientific output—ranging from exoplanet studies to climate data—feeds directly into policy decisions and technological advances.

The impact of the protest is difficult to quantify in a single day, but the immediate aftermath was telling. Within hours, several lawmakers posted statements on Twitter acknowledging the protest and promising to advocate for NASA’s science budget. Representatives from the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee and the Senate Committee on Science, Space, and Technology issued a joint press release expressing support for the campaign’s goals.

Moreover, the protest generated a flurry of media coverage. Space.com, Wired, The New York Times, and national TV networks ran segments that included footage of the demonstration and interviews with Bill Nye and Planetary Society spokespeople. This coverage served to amplify the message to a broader audience, increasing public awareness of the stakes involved.

What Comes Next?

The “Save NASA Science” Day of Action is not a one‑off event but the beginning of a sustained lobbying effort. According to the Planetary Society’s website, the next phase includes targeted outreach to specific committees in Congress, a petition drive aimed at securing a $5.3 billion increase in NASA’s science budget for FY 2025, and a coordinated social‑media campaign to keep the issue trending.

Bill Nye has expressed optimism. “It’s not just about the protest; it’s about building a coalition that can influence policy for years to come,” he said. “If we can keep the science budget solid, we’ll ensure that future generations can continue to look up and wonder.”

The 2024 federal budget cycle is fast approaching, and the stakes are high. NASA’s scientific missions—whether they be sending rovers to Mars, studying the atmospheres of exoplanets, or tracking near‑Earth objects—are part of a larger scientific enterprise that supports technological innovation, global navigation systems, and our understanding of Earth’s climate.

The protest, then, was a bold statement that science is not a luxury but a necessity. By turning a “science‑guy” T‑shirt into a megaphone, Bill Nye and the Planetary Society reminded a nation that the exploration of the cosmos is intertwined with our collective future. Their call to “Save NASA Science” will echo on Capitol Hill, in classrooms, and in the minds of millions who still look up in wonder at the stars.