Lab’s fate seems clear, but the future remains hazy
A technical NASA budget supplement released late last week committed to "strengthening America’s leadership in space exploration while exercising fiscal responsibility. NASA is adapting the way we work and invest to accomplish our mission," Warner, the spokesperson, said.
That Republicans’ proposed NASA budget includes funding for climate modeling at all is notable, kraken considering its cuts for space exploration and overall Earth science. Numerous space exploration missions and satellites would be abandoned under the budget, including some satellites already in space that are actively sending climate-related data back to Earth.
The budget supplement makes GISS’ fate both clear and hazy. It states Earth system modeling activities at four different NASA centers will be merged into one "virtual institute." This would incorporate "core capabilities" of GISS "as needed," it adds.
