# NASA This Week: Interstellar Comet, Budget Battles, and Safety Concerns

Hello listeners, welcome back to your weekly NASA briefing. This week, the space agency finds itself at a crossroads as it prepares for a rare cosmic encounter while navigating unprecedented internal challenges. Let's dive into what's happening at America's space agency.

Our top story comes from the cosmos. On December nineteenth, just over two weeks away, the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS will make its closest approach to Earth in what astronomers are calling a once in a lifetime cosmic encounter. Now, don't worry about a collision. The comet will pass at approximately one hundred seventy million miles away, roughly twice the distance between Earth and the Sun. But this is significant because it represents only the third interstellar object ever discovered. NASA held a press conference on November nineteenth, sharing new data from multiple telescopes including Hubble, James Webb, and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Scientists are particularly interested in studying the comet's jets to determine whether they're produced by natural sublimation or potentially something more exotic. Listeners will need a decent telescope to observe it, and astronomers worldwide are monitoring for any accompanying fragments.

But here's where things get serious. Behind the scenes at NASA, whistleblowers are raising alarm bells about safety and organizational stability. According to Democratic staff reports, the Trump administration has been implementing the President's proposed budget cuts since June twenty twenty-five, creating what insiders describe as a culture of fear. One whistleblower expressed grave concerns, stating they're very concerned that we're going to see an astronaut death within a few years. NASA employees report being told to keep their heads down, with fears of retaliation if they raise safety issues. The agency has already closed three offices including the Office of Chief Scientist and has eliminated diversity and inclusion branches.

The financial picture is equally troubling. There are rumors circulating that the White House may seek to cut NASA's Science Mission Directorate budget by up to fifty percent. This comes as Congress debates the NASA Transition Authorization Act of twenty twenty-five, which proposes authorizing approximately twenty five point five billion dollars for the agency's fiscal year operations.

For listeners who care about space exploration and scientific discovery, this moment matters. These budget cuts and organizational changes could impact everything from climate monitoring satellites to fundamental research about our universe. If you're concerned about NASA's direction, contacting your representatives in Congress is crucial. They're actively debating these funding levels through the end of the year.

Stay tuned for updates on the comet's approach and any announcements about NASA's budget resolution. Thank you for tuning in to NASA This Week. Make sure to subscribe for updates on space exploration and policy developments. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease dot ai.

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