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The James Webb Space Telescope, which has become the most powerful instrument for studying deep space, may stop working. NASA plans to reduce the observatory's operating budget by 20%, which will negatively affect its ability to study the early Universe, writes Space.
Launched in December 2021, Webb has already made groundbreaking discoveries, including seeing the oldest galaxies and tracking the formation of planets in other star systems. It was designed to operate for at least 10 years, with a possible extension to 20 years. However, funding cuts could limit the amount of scientific research and observations it can make.
NASA is facing budget constraints that will affect other space projects, according to mission manager Tom Brown. In 2025, the agency will receive $25,4 billion, of which $317 million is allocated to operate the Webb, Hubble and Chandra telescopes. The last two devices have been operating for decades, while Webb has only just begun its mission.
The reduction in funding for astronomical research is a major concern in the scientific community, as the telescope cost NASA $10 billion to develop and launch. The data it has already collected is invaluable to astronomy, and its continued work could reveal even more secrets of the universe. The question now is whether NASA can find additional funding to maintain the full scientific potential of this unique mission.
The James Webb Space Telescope, which has become the most powerful instrument for studying deep space, may stop working. NASA plans to reduce the observatory's operating budget by 20%, which will negatively affect its ability to study the early Universe, writes Space.
Launched in December 2021, Webb has already made groundbreaking discoveries, including seeing the oldest galaxies and tracking the formation of planets in other star systems. It was designed to operate for at least 10 years, with a possible extension to 20 years. However, funding cuts could limit the amount of scientific research and observations it can make.
NASA is facing budget constraints that will affect other space projects, according to mission manager Tom Brown. In 2025, the agency will receive $25,4 billion, of which $317 million is allocated to operate the Webb, Hubble and Chandra telescopes. The last two devices have been operating for decades, while Webb has only just begun its mission.
The reduction in funding for astronomical research is a major concern in the scientific community, as the telescope cost NASA $10 billion to develop and launch. The data it has already collected is invaluable to astronomy, and its continued work could reveal even more secrets of the universe. The question now is whether NASA can find additional funding to maintain the full scientific potential of this unique mission.
