VERITAS Mission to Venus Faces Funding Cuts
NASA has decided to pull funding for the VERITAS mission to Venus, causing outrage and confusion among team members. Despite being on track and on budget, the modest mission has been delayed and disbanded to accommodate other missions facing cost overruns. The proposed $1.5 million budget for VERITAS is a severe drop from the original $56.7 million, and most of the anticipated funding will be used to fund other missions currently exceeding their budgets. The team argues that a 12-18 month delay is justified but not a three-year delay, and the proposed budget is not sufficient to keep the team together in the coming years.
Proposed Spending Reductions for NASA in Fiscal Year 2024
The proposed spending reductions for NASA in fiscal year 2024 could have devastating effects on NASA programs. Two budget-cutting scenarios are being considered, one of which would see NASA’s budget reduced by 22% from 2023 levels to about $19.8 billion. The proposed cuts would delay or cancel many missions, including various elements of the Artemis 4 program such as the upgraded version of the Space Launch System and lunar Gateway elements. The cuts would also delay or cancel several other missions in development, such as Mars Sample Return, the DAVINCI mission to Venus, and the Dragonfly mission to Saturn’s moon Titan.
Nearly All Funding Cut for VERITAS Program
In one of the most exhaustive explorations set to take place on Venus, nearly all funding has been cut for the VERITAS program. The future of the program is now uncertain despite being on track and on budget to meet deadlines. NASA officials justify this move by explaining it was a matter of workforce restraints in other programs which VERITAS is heavily dependent on. However, a spokesperson says funding would restart in 2024 if the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) managed to pass a workforce assessment. Meanwhile, the two other Venus-based missions for NASA, DAVINCI and EnVision, are still on.
The proposed budget cuts for NASA will significantly impact its ability to continue space exploration and research. The pandemic and worldwide supply chain issues have increased operational costs and caused cost overruns for missions currently in development. Up to three missions in the Earth System Observatory program of Earth science missions would be canceled, laying off 4,000 center and contractor personnel across the agency’s programs.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson warns that these proposed budget cuts could have “devastating and potentially unrecoverable” effects on NASA programs. House appropriators have just started hearings on fiscal year 2024 budget proposals from agencies but have not yet scheduled one for NASA. The future of space exploration looks bleak if NASA continues facing budget cuts and cancelations of future missions. The world waits with hope for more news on the JPL’s workforce assessment as it may bring VERITAS back from cancellation and allow exploration of Venus’ mysteries.
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