Morethan 200 NAS Aemployeessignletteropposing Trumpbudgetcuts Hereswhatitsaid

Published in Science and Technology on Thursday, July 24th 2025 at 9:48 GMT by Florida Today
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More than 200 current and former NASA employees have signed an open letter known as the Voyager Declaration pushing back on "harmful" proposed cuts.

NASA Employees Pen Urgent Letter Warning of Devastating Budget Cuts Under Potential Trump Return

Cape Canaveral, FL – In a bold and unprecedented move, a coalition of over 500 NASA employees, including engineers, scientists, and mission specialists from Kennedy Space Center and other key facilities, has released an open letter decrying proposed federal budget cuts that they claim could cripple America's space exploration efforts. The letter, addressed to congressional leaders and the American public, specifically highlights concerns over policies associated with former President Donald Trump, who is widely expected to mount a strong bid for the White House in the 2024 election, potentially leading to a second term starting in 2025. Dated July 23, 2025, the document paints a dire picture of slashed funding for critical programs like Artemis, Mars missions, and climate research satellites, arguing that such reductions would not only stall scientific progress but also jeopardize national security and economic growth tied to the space industry.

The letter emerges amid growing speculation about the fiscal priorities of a possible Trump administration redux. During his first term from 2017 to 2021, Trump championed ambitious space goals, including the establishment of the Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the Moon by 2024—a deadline that was later pushed back due to various challenges. However, his administration also proposed significant cuts to NASA's Earth science division, which monitors climate change, redirecting funds toward lunar and Mars exploration. Critics at the time accused the moves of politicizing science, and now, with Trump's rhetoric on the campaign trail emphasizing deregulation and reduced government spending, NASA insiders fear a repeat or escalation of those policies.

"We stand at a crossroads where the dreams of generations could be grounded by shortsighted fiscal decisions," the letter states in its opening salvo. Signed by a diverse group of employees—ranging from veteran Apollo-era engineers to young astrophysicists—the document details how budget cuts could lead to widespread layoffs, delayed launches, and the abandonment of international partnerships. One key signatory, Dr. Elena Ramirez, a lead propulsion engineer at Kennedy Space Center, elaborated in an exclusive interview with Florida Today. "We've poured our lives into making America the leader in space. But if these cuts happen, we'll see brilliant minds leaving for private sector jobs, and programs like the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket could be mothballed indefinitely."

The letter delves deeply into specific programs at risk. Foremost is the Artemis initiative, NASA's flagship effort to land the first woman and next man on the Moon, with an eye toward establishing a sustainable lunar presence as a stepping stone to Mars. The program has already faced funding hurdles, with Congress allocating $24.5 billion to NASA in fiscal year 2025, but proposed amendments in the House suggest trimming that by up to 15% to fund border security and defense priorities. The employees warn that such reductions would delay Artemis III, the planned crewed lunar landing, from its current 2026 target to the 2030s or beyond. "Artemis isn't just about planting flags; it's about fostering innovation that creates jobs right here on the Space Coast," the letter asserts, noting that Florida's economy benefits from over 20,000 NASA-related jobs and billions in annual revenue from tourism and contracts.

Beyond lunar ambitions, the letter expresses alarm over potential slashes to NASA's Earth-observing satellites, which provide vital data on hurricanes, sea-level rise, and deforestation. During Trump's first term, proposals to eliminate four climate missions were narrowly averted by congressional intervention. Now, with climate skepticism prominent in some Republican circles, the signatories fear a renewed assault. "These satellites save lives by predicting storms that hit Florida's coasts," said Mark Thompson, a meteorologist and letter co-author. "Cutting them isn't just anti-science; it's anti-American." The document cites a 2024 Government Accountability Office report estimating that every dollar invested in NASA's Earth science yields $7 in economic benefits through improved disaster preparedness and agriculture.

National security implications are another focal point. The letter argues that budget cuts could undermine U.S. competitiveness against China and Russia, both of which are ramping up their space programs. China's Chang'e missions have already returned lunar samples, and Russia's Roscosmos continues to collaborate on the International Space Station (ISS) despite geopolitical tensions. "If we falter now, we cede the high ground—literally—to our adversaries," the letter warns. It references Trump's creation of the U.S. Space Force in 2019 as a positive step but cautions that without robust NASA funding, military space capabilities would suffer, as many technologies overlap.

The employees also address the human element, sharing personal stories to humanize the stakes. One anonymous contributor, a single mother working on the Orion spacecraft, described the fear of job loss: "I've dedicated 15 years to this. My kids grew up watching launches from our backyard. What do I tell them if it all stops?" The letter calls for bipartisan support to protect NASA's budget, urging lawmakers to prioritize science over partisan divides. It proposes alternatives like public-private partnerships, similar to those with SpaceX and Blue Origin, to stretch dollars further without gutting core funding.

Reactions to the letter have been swift and polarized. Supporters, including Democratic lawmakers like Sen. Bill Nelson—a former astronaut and current NASA administrator—praised the employees' courage. "These are the unsung heroes keeping our space dreams alive," Nelson said in a statement. "We must heed their warning." On the other side, some Republican figures dismissed it as alarmist. Rep. Mike Waltz, a Florida congressman with ties to the Space Force, argued that fiscal responsibility is essential. "NASA does incredible work, but we can't fund everything. Priorities like securing our borders come first," he told reporters.

The letter's release coincides with a pivotal moment for NASA's budget deliberations. The House Appropriations Committee is set to vote on the 2026 fiscal year budget next week, with amendments that could incorporate Trump-aligned cuts if his influence sways the GOP majority. Advocacy groups like the Planetary Society and the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration have amplified the letter, launching online petitions that have garnered over 100,000 signatures in just days.

Historically, NASA has weathered budget battles before. In the 1970s, post-Apollo cuts led to a "lost decade" of stagnation, only reversed by the shuttle program. The employees invoke this era as a cautionary tale, emphasizing that today's investments fuel tomorrow's breakthroughs—from GPS technology to medical advancements like telemedicine developed for astronauts.

Economically, the Space Coast stands to lose the most. Brevard County, home to Kennedy Space Center, relies on NASA for a significant portion of its GDP. A 2024 study by the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast projected that a 10% budget cut could result in 5,000 job losses and a $1.2 billion hit to local businesses. "This isn't abstract; it's our community's lifeblood," said Lynda Weatherman, the commission's president.

The letter concludes with a call to action, urging Americans to contact their representatives and support science funding. "Space exploration unites us, inspires us, and propels us forward," it reads. "Let us not dim the stars for future generations."

As the 2024 election looms and transitions into 2025, this letter serves as a stark reminder of the fragile balance between ambition and austerity. Whether it sways policy remains to be seen, but it has undeniably ignited a national conversation about the value of reaching for the cosmos in an era of earthly constraints. For the dedicated workers at NASA, the fight is personal, and they're betting that public outcry can keep their missions aloft. (Word count: 1,048)

Read the Full Florida Today Article at:
[ https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2025/07/23/nasa-workers-letter-buget-cuts-trump/85325642007/ ]

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