NASA Goddard/Bill Hrybyk
House Science Dems call for investigation into NASA Goddard cuts
The administration’s ongoing push to close labs and facilities at the Goddard Space Flight Center “risks permanently degrading Goddard’s scientific and technical capabilities with these moves,” Democratic members of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee wrote.
Democrats on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee are calling on NASA’s watchdog to investigate the space agency’s recent moves to downsize many of the Goddard Space Flight Center’s facilities.
In a Nov. 21 letter to NASA’s Office of Inspector General, 16 Democrats on the panel asked that officials “initiate a formal audit of NASA’s management” in response to efforts to shutter 13 buildings at Goddard’s main campus in Greenbelt, Maryland, as well as roughly 100 laboratories. Administration officials have characterized the moves as cost-saving measures.
The letter was led by Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., the committee’s ranking member, and was signed by every Democratic member of the panel, with the exception of New York Rep. Laura Gillen.
Lofgren previously wrote to acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy on Nov. 10, demanding that the space agency immediately cease its closures at Goddard’s main campus.
Goddard was NASA’s first space flight center and played a core role in the nation’s early space missions. The center continues to lead the way in conducting scientific research and helming ongoing projects like the Hubble Space Telescope and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.
Drastic cuts at Goddard over the past few months, however, have led to quickly closed buildings, relocated facilities and costly scientific equipment being tossed or abandoned in hallways.
The letter expressed concern that the actions being taken “are degrading Goddard’s scientific and technical capabilities, and that they may be inflicting long-term damage on Goddard’s ability to carry out its responsibilities and NASA’s ability to carry out the responsibilities that have been given to it by Congress.”
Space agency officials have said the moves align with its Master Plan for Goddard 2017-2037, which outlines the blueprint for constructing new buildings, remodeling outdated facilities and demolishing other structures at the Greenbelt campus. But lawmakers have also expressed concern that NASA is pushing the moves in an expedited fashion to focus on downsizing, rather than abiding by the two-decade-long process outlined in the plan.
The missive’s signatories said “what is happening right now at Goddard is not prudent, thoughtful, in good faith, or rational,” adding that “we are hard pressed to see any justification suggesting a sudden crisis that requires drastic and chaotic intervention on a timeline of months, weeks, or days.”
The missive also warned that the actions “have created real dangers for the center and its workforce,” and that NASA “risks permanently degrading Goddard’s scientific and technical capabilities with these moves.”
“We believe an independent audit is necessary to determine the true impact of the recent — and ongoing — disruptions at Goddard,” the letter added. “Such an audit would greatly assist the Committee as it considers the steps that will be necessary to ensure Goddard continues to serve as a pillar of NASA science, engineering, and space flight, and a world-class research and development facility.”
The cuts at Goddard, notably, come as the Trump administration has looked to renew and expand U.S. space missions, with the ultimate goal of returning astronauts to the Moon in advance of a planned manned mission to Mars.