NASA cuts $420 million in misaligned contracts

NASA is ending $420 million in contracts that it says no longer fit its main goals. The specific contracts that are being cut have not been detailed, but some recent changes at NASA offer clues. The agency recently fired its chief scientist who was supposed to lead a key climate change project. NASA has also stopped funding for international climate science and altered language on its Artemis mission website regarding diversity. These changes come after the Biden administration prioritized climate change and diversity issues, which were also supported by former NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. The Department of Government Efficiency noted that part of the cuts involves $45 million earmarked for three different consultants providing management support. Press Secretary Bethany Stevens said the goal of the cuts is to streamline operations and focus taxpayer money on important projects. NASA wants to ensure its resources are used efficiently, maintaining its leadership in space exploration. There is confusion over how NASA determined which contracts were misaligned. Reports indicate that some consulting firms received payments before their contracts were canceled. The push for these cuts is believed to be linked to a renewed focus on Mars exploration, which is a priority for SpaceX founder Elon Musk. In recent weeks, NASA has experienced layoffs, raising concerns about job security. Many scientists have expressed their sadness on social media over the grant terminations. They argue that these grants had already gone through peer review and were in progress. Others in the field are worried about the impact on ongoing projects. Experts have identified numerous contracts related to climate science, diversity, and education that may be affected by these cuts.