Cuts To NASA And A Fast-Track For Deep Sea Mining
Summary
This episode of Science Friday discusses proposed NASA budget cuts and their impact on space research, including robotic missions and the International Space Station. The conversation then shifts to deep sea mining, exploring environmental and geopolitical concerns surrounding a recent executive order that fast-tracks access for mining companies. Experts analyze the potential ecological damage and regulatory loopholes.Episode description
Proposed budget cuts for NASA would jeopardize space research. And an executive order could change the political tides for deep sea mining.
On May 2, the Trump Administration proposed a 24% budget cut for NASA. It would slash funding for science while setting billions aside for initiatives to send humans to the moon and Mars. New Scientist editor Sophie Bushwick joins us to talk about this, as well as other news in science, like how many U.S. cities are sinking, the search for geologic hydrogen within mountains, the first photos of free-floating atoms, Chinese poetry about porpoises, and cicadas turned into speakers.
And, President Trump recently issued an executive order that would fast-track access for deep sea mining. Soon after, a Canadian company called The Metals Company submitted the first application for NOAA to review. This has raised environmental and climate concerns, as well as geopolitical tensions. Ocean geologist Sandor Mulsow breaks down what’s at stake for the ocean.
Guests:
Sophie Bushwick, senior news editor at New Scientist in NYC
Dr. Sandor Mulsow, marine geologist at the Austral University of Chile
Transcript will be available after the show airs on sciencefriday.com.
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