PlanetaryScientist

Dear Ms. Garver,

Thank you for your time and doing this AMA session. We appreciate the work you do for NASA.

As a young planetary scientist, it distresses me and my colleagues to see NASA's reluctance to place planetary science as high priority for the agency. Our program has achieved tremendous successes in science and exploration recently, from the Curiosity rover to Cassini's continued exploration of Saturn.

Though your agency may state otherwise, it is evident from the President's FY14 budget request, however, that NASA continues to treat the planetary science program as the first place to cut when times are tough, despite our success and impact (when else are you going to see Times Square stand still from a Martian rover landing??). This is in spite of continued, bipartisan support for planetary science and exploration from Congress, who generously restored some funding for our program recently from last year's budget request.

It is unfortunate that Administrator Bolden has flatly stated that we won't be going back to the Moon anytime soon, nor do we have funds to support an outer planet flagship mission to Europa, a tantalizing target for life outside our Earth. This lack of bold vision speaks volumes, and closes off pathways for careers for me and my fellow early career scientists.

Thus, I respectfully ask, how can NASA continue to deny prioritizing such a successful program?

Thank you for your reply, Ms. Garver, but it is important to point out that as recently as FY12, NASA had $1.5B allocated for planetary science. Compare this to the $1.2B requested for FY14, and that the current budget request has FLAT funding for planetary science from FY15-FY18.

Rather than balancing between programs, our community is simply asking we go back to the original $1.5B funding level to support a balanced approach to planetary exploration as identified by the recent decadal survey. We are mindful of the economic challenges that our country faces and do not make this request lightly. But we have an established record of successful exploration and scientific discovery, and broad support from Congress and the general public. This funding level would support thousands of skilled engineers and scientists working on compelling research and missions.

I agree with you that we have "THE BEST" planetary science program on the planet, but if NASA continues to starve its planetary science program for the sake of "balance," I seriously doubt that I will be able to say that in the near-future.