5 hours agoShareSavePallab GhoshScience correspondentShareSaveNASAIn its recently published strategy ESA stated it “will be seeking to build a more autonomous space capability, and to continue being a reliable, strong and desirable partner with space agencies from around the globe,” with the implication that it would do so with or without Nasa.Also facing cuts are numerous current and proposed Earth Observation programmes according to Dr Baker.”These Earth observation programmes are our canary in the coal mine,” he told BBC News.”Our ability to predict the impact of climate change and mitigate against it could be drastically reduced. If we turn off this early warning system it is a frightening prospect”.The budget proposals have yet to be approved by Congress. The planetary Society’s Casey Dreier has told BBC News that many Republicans have told lobbyists privately that they are prepared to vote against the cuts.But, Mr Dreier worries that there is a strong possibility that political gridlock might mean that no budget will be agreed. It is likely that the reduced White House budget would be put in place as an interim measure, which could then not easily be reversed, because once space missions are turned off it is hard, if not impossible, to start them up again. …
