NASA satellites feel budget crunch (CNN/AP) {environment}

[eppur_se_muova]

Monday, March 6, 2006; Posted: 9:15 a.m. EST (14:15 GMT)

(AP) --
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Anthes chairs a National Academy of Sciences committee that advises the federal government on developing and operating environmental satellites. In a report issued last year, the committee warned that "the vitality of Earth science and application programs has been placed at substantial risk by a rapidly shrinking budget."

Since that report came out, NASA has chosen to cancel or mothball at least three planned satellites in an effort to save money. Cost overruns have delayed a new generation of weather satellites until at least 2010 and probably 2012, leading a Government Accountability Office official to label the enterprise "a program in crisis."

Scientists warn that the consequences of neglecting Earth-observing satellites could have more than academic consequences. It is possible that when a big volcano starts rumbling in the Pacific Northwest, a swarm of tornadoes sweeps through Oklahoma or a massive hurricane bears down on New Orleans, the people in harm's way -- and those responsible for their safety -- will have a lot less information than they'd like about the impending threat.
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NASA officials say that tight budgets tie their hands, forcing them to cut all but the most vital programs. The agency's proposed 2007 budget request contains $2.2 billion for satellites that observe the Earth and sun, compared to $6.2 billion for operating the space shuttle and International Space Station and $4 billion for developing future missions to the moon and Mars.
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more at: http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/03/06/flying.blind.ap/index.html

A fairly long, detailed article. Shows how a fiscally reckless misadministration is about to destroy part of our infrastructure that is for most people "out of sight, out of mind" -- satellites that are vital to weather and climate studies.