Mary Cleave Makes Her Case

Editor’s update: Feedback from Houston – at the LSPC – where Mary Cleave has been speaking is that she was roasted by the audience. The astrobiologists and astrophysicists were the most vocal.

Dear Colleague Letter from NASA Associate Administrator Mary Cleave, Science Mission Directorate

“One impact that spans all science disciplines within SMD is a 15% reduction in research and analysis (R&A) annual funding. The reduction in R&A funding is directly related to the slowing rate of growth of SMD programs. Because there will be fewer missions within SMD, a larger body of advanced research and development to prepare for future missions is not required. It is important, as these activities are reduced, that NASA preserve the essential capabilities within the research community that are needed for the missions that NASA will be executing in the future. Also NASA will work to ensure that the students who represent the Nation’s future technical workforce are not disproportionately affected by these reductions.”