Archive · 20 Aug 2025
NASA to Shift Focus From Climate Research Under Trump
NASA, which studies space, also studies climate.
The current administration wants NASA to stop some of its climate work, like the OCO satellites that watch the Earth's atmosphere.
These satellites help scientists understand how much carbon dioxide is in the air and how crops grow.
Stopping the program means NASA won't collect this data anymore.
One of the satellites might get turned off and stay on the space station, while the other would be sent to burn up.
Experts worry this will hurt climate research.
Congress could step in to save the program, but the president would have to agree.
The Trump administration requested NASA to shift its priorities away from climate research.
This includes decommissioning the Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCO) satellite missions.
OCO missions, which measure atmospheric composition, are critical for climate monitoring and agriculture.
Decommissioning OCO-2 involves moving it to a lower orbit where it will burn up in the atmosphere.
Congress could potentially restore funding, but Trump would need to sign the bill.
- Who
- The Trump administration and NASA.
- What
- The Trump administration is requesting NASA to shift focus from climate research.
- When
- The decision was made recently and is reflected in the 2026 budget request.
- Where
- NASA climate research programs.
- Why
- The administration wants to direct science towards exploration instead of Earth science.
Supporters of Climate Research
The Trump Administration
Priorities for NASA
Supporters of Climate Research
Decommissioning OCO will harm climate research for decades and lead to unforeseen consequences.
The Trump Administration
Focusing on exploration is the primary mission of NASA.
Funding
Supporters of Climate Research
Funding should be maintained to support climate science.
The Trump Administration
The budget for OCO is zeroed out.
- Missions Affected
- Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCO-2 and OCO-3)
- OCO-2 Disposal
- Moved to lower orbit to burn up
- OCO-3 Status
- Could remain on the International Space Station
- Administration Stance
- Prioritizing space exploration over Earth science
- Congressional Action
- Could restore funding if Trump signs the bill