Brandon Radzom
@brandonradzom.bsky.social
Astronomy PhD candidate at Indiana University. (Exo)planetary scientist. Runner. Average Android enjoyer.
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
"The secret sauce has been poured down the drain," says David Draper, former Deputy Chief Scientist of NASA, over the recent firing or departure of 1000s of NASA employees, which will be catastrophic for the legacy of the US🇺🇸😖🚀
www.planetary.org/articles/400...
h/t @floragraham.bsky.social 🧪
www.planetary.org/articles/400...
h/t @floragraham.bsky.social 🧪
4,000 gone: Inside NASA’s brain drain
In exclusive interviews, ex-NASA scientists speak out on the impact of the agency's mass departures.
www.planetary.org
October 16, 2025 at 7:29 PM
"The secret sauce has been poured down the drain," says David Draper, former Deputy Chief Scientist of NASA, over the recent firing or departure of 1000s of NASA employees, which will be catastrophic for the legacy of the US🇺🇸😖🚀
www.planetary.org/articles/400...
h/t @floragraham.bsky.social 🧪
www.planetary.org/articles/400...
h/t @floragraham.bsky.social 🧪
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
#SpeakOutForScience is an initiative launched by students to empower #ScienceAdvocates. Join @aas.org on 7/1/25 @ 7 PM EST, for a Testimonial Action Day to learn how to craft & record their powerful testimonials for policymakers. Register here: forms.gle/38ZtznWT3fxe...
June 26, 2025 at 2:25 PM
#SpeakOutForScience is an initiative launched by students to empower #ScienceAdvocates. Join @aas.org on 7/1/25 @ 7 PM EST, for a Testimonial Action Day to learn how to craft & record their powerful testimonials for policymakers. Register here: forms.gle/38ZtznWT3fxe...
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
Cuts have consequences, illustrated. As seen on TV 📺
June 3, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Cuts have consequences, illustrated. As seen on TV 📺
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
Here's NASA astrophysics, if I read the president's proposed budget correctly. 🔭
May 30, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Here's NASA astrophysics, if I read the president's proposed budget correctly. 🔭
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
The NASA planetary science fleet chart if the president’s budget is enacted.
May 30, 2025 at 9:57 PM
The NASA planetary science fleet chart if the president’s budget is enacted.
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
We now have a petition anyone around the world can sign to help save NASA science by urging the United States Congress to reject the proposed 47% cut to NASA’s science programs, before the 2026 budget is finalized.
We need 1,000 signatories by June 12, 2025.
Help us save NASA! ✍️
planet.ly/petition
We need 1,000 signatories by June 12, 2025.
Help us save NASA! ✍️
planet.ly/petition
Advocacy Action Center
The Planetary Society is organizing a new space constituency that is educated, empowered, and loud.
planet.ly
May 16, 2025 at 2:48 PM
We now have a petition anyone around the world can sign to help save NASA science by urging the United States Congress to reject the proposed 47% cut to NASA’s science programs, before the 2026 budget is finalized.
We need 1,000 signatories by June 12, 2025.
Help us save NASA! ✍️
planet.ly/petition
We need 1,000 signatories by June 12, 2025.
Help us save NASA! ✍️
planet.ly/petition
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
Read this:
www.planetary.org/articles/bil...
And then decide what action you'll take to save NASA science by visiting here:
www.planetary.org/save-nasa-sc...
www.planetary.org/articles/bil...
And then decide what action you'll take to save NASA science by visiting here:
www.planetary.org/save-nasa-sc...
Billions wasted, mysteries unsolved: The missions NASA may be forced…
Proposed NASA cuts would cancel dozens of space missions — including spacecraft already paid for, launched, and making discoveries.
www.planetary.org
May 9, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Read this:
www.planetary.org/articles/bil...
And then decide what action you'll take to save NASA science by visiting here:
www.planetary.org/save-nasa-sc...
www.planetary.org/articles/bil...
And then decide what action you'll take to save NASA science by visiting here:
www.planetary.org/save-nasa-sc...
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
This is insane, and sabotages the future of US science—and it’s so easy to see why…
AI, quantum, etc., all started as niche research 10, 20, 50 years ago. They’re “trendy” science of national importance today because of decades of investments in broad, fundamental research.
(🧵1/3)
AI, quantum, etc., all started as niche research 10, 20, 50 years ago. They’re “trendy” science of national importance today because of decades of investments in broad, fundamental research.
(🧵1/3)
NSF to ONLY fund research in five areas: artificial intelligence, quantum information science, biotechnology, nuclear energy, and translational science. Can this be happening?
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
NSF slashes number of ‘rotators’ and well-paid managers as part of restructuring
Smaller future budgets will require fewer people, NSF official tells staff
www.science.org
May 10, 2025 at 2:22 AM
This is insane, and sabotages the future of US science—and it’s so easy to see why…
AI, quantum, etc., all started as niche research 10, 20, 50 years ago. They’re “trendy” science of national importance today because of decades of investments in broad, fundamental research.
(🧵1/3)
AI, quantum, etc., all started as niche research 10, 20, 50 years ago. They’re “trendy” science of national importance today because of decades of investments in broad, fundamental research.
(🧵1/3)
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
Astronomy is in trouble, but you can help! 🔭🧪
I made this video as part of the @aas.org #savescience week of action. Check out their resources on how you can help here
aas.org/advocacy/get...
I made this video as part of the @aas.org #savescience week of action. Check out their resources on how you can help here
aas.org/advocacy/get...
May 8, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Astronomy is in trouble, but you can help! 🔭🧪
I made this video as part of the @aas.org #savescience week of action. Check out their resources on how you can help here
aas.org/advocacy/get...
I made this video as part of the @aas.org #savescience week of action. Check out their resources on how you can help here
aas.org/advocacy/get...
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
i think the biggest public relations coup AI boosters scored was calling it “AI.” people genuinely think it is an intelligence, and that when they query it, it is providing reasoned answers
it's jolting how little AI skepticism has reached the general public. i've had many acquaintances ask whether i use AI for research and seem shocked when i tell them it's completely useless for that purpose. my wife recently told her colleagues about hallucinations and it was news to all of them.
May 7, 2025 at 4:57 PM
i think the biggest public relations coup AI boosters scored was calling it “AI.” people genuinely think it is an intelligence, and that when they query it, it is providing reasoned answers
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
From a good friend on another platform:
“I think the reality is academic science is now in its second existential crisis within a decade, and that’s a sign of deep structural problems…one of which is failure to reward things like public-facing communication.”
www.johnhawks.net/p/what-i-tol...
“I think the reality is academic science is now in its second existential crisis within a decade, and that’s a sign of deep structural problems…one of which is failure to reward things like public-facing communication.”
www.johnhawks.net/p/what-i-tol...
What I told my students about the threats to evolutionary science
I was floored by the question, but it matters. With U.S. funding crashing, what will happen to the future of the field?
www.johnhawks.net
May 5, 2025 at 12:56 PM
From a good friend on another platform:
“I think the reality is academic science is now in its second existential crisis within a decade, and that’s a sign of deep structural problems…one of which is failure to reward things like public-facing communication.”
www.johnhawks.net/p/what-i-tol...
“I think the reality is academic science is now in its second existential crisis within a decade, and that’s a sign of deep structural problems…one of which is failure to reward things like public-facing communication.”
www.johnhawks.net/p/what-i-tol...
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
✉️ It's time to speak up for science! Kick off our Week of Action by writing to your members of Congress. Urge them to robustly fund space science in FY 2026 & beyond. Every letter makes a difference! You can use our prompts for inspiration. #WeekOfAction aas.org/advocacy/get...
May 5, 2025 at 12:24 PM
✉️ It's time to speak up for science! Kick off our Week of Action by writing to your members of Congress. Urge them to robustly fund space science in FY 2026 & beyond. Every letter makes a difference! You can use our prompts for inspiration. #WeekOfAction aas.org/advocacy/get...
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
🧪 Though a doubling of NSF's budget might seem far-fetched, that's exactly what Congress said what's needed to maintain national competitiveness in science & tech.
From the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of 2022:
From the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of 2022:
May 4, 2025 at 3:04 AM
🧪 Though a doubling of NSF's budget might seem far-fetched, that's exactly what Congress said what's needed to maintain national competitiveness in science & tech.
From the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of 2022:
From the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of 2022:
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
The reality is worse than we thought.
The White House proposed the largest single-year cut to NASA in history. We urge Congress to reject this proposal and work on a bipartisan solution for a strong space program that reflects humanity’s potential.
Our statement: www.planetary.org/press-releas...
The White House proposed the largest single-year cut to NASA in history. We urge Congress to reject this proposal and work on a bipartisan solution for a strong space program that reflects humanity’s potential.
Our statement: www.planetary.org/press-releas...
May 2, 2025 at 11:08 PM
The reality is worse than we thought.
The White House proposed the largest single-year cut to NASA in history. We urge Congress to reject this proposal and work on a bipartisan solution for a strong space program that reflects humanity’s potential.
Our statement: www.planetary.org/press-releas...
The White House proposed the largest single-year cut to NASA in history. We urge Congress to reject this proposal and work on a bipartisan solution for a strong space program that reflects humanity’s potential.
Our statement: www.planetary.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
"In the long term, severe reductions to science funding could damage the economy, according to new research. A report by economists at American University in Washington DC estimates that a 50% reduction in federal science funding would reduce the US gross domestic product by approximately 7.6%."
Don't read your emails on Friday, or you may ruin your weekend. Wait until Monday.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Exclusive: NSF stops awarding new grants and funding existing ones
US science funder also plans to screen grant applications for compliance with ‘agency priorities’.
www.nature.com
May 2, 2025 at 12:56 AM
"In the long term, severe reductions to science funding could damage the economy, according to new research. A report by economists at American University in Washington DC estimates that a 50% reduction in federal science funding would reduce the US gross domestic product by approximately 7.6%."
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
We, along with a powerful coalition of science, industry, and advocacy groups, released a joint letter today urging congressional leaders to push back against potential cuts to space science. Read the letter and join us in standing up for space science: www.planetary.org/press-releas...
Science, industry, and advocacy groups unite in opposition to deep…
A coalition of leading space industry organizations, scientific societies, and public advocacy groups are submitting a joint letter to Congress opposing…
www.planetary.org
April 30, 2025 at 5:57 PM
We, along with a powerful coalition of science, industry, and advocacy groups, released a joint letter today urging congressional leaders to push back against potential cuts to space science. Read the letter and join us in standing up for space science: www.planetary.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
🚨REQUEST FUNDS FROM CONGRESS for NASA, NSF, and DOE Office of Science. Deadline *tonight at midnight*.
Here's a guided video for filling out the form, with a PDF of the slides containing all links, as well as MD fact sheets:
www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0ms4s...
Share it! @aas.org/@policy.aas.org 🔭🧪
Here's a guided video for filling out the form, with a PDF of the slides containing all links, as well as MD fact sheets:
www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0ms4s...
Share it! @aas.org/@policy.aas.org 🔭🧪
April 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
🚨REQUEST FUNDS FROM CONGRESS for NASA, NSF, and DOE Office of Science. Deadline *tonight at midnight*.
Here's a guided video for filling out the form, with a PDF of the slides containing all links, as well as MD fact sheets:
www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0ms4s...
Share it! @aas.org/@policy.aas.org 🔭🧪
Here's a guided video for filling out the form, with a PDF of the slides containing all links, as well as MD fact sheets:
www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/0ms4s...
Share it! @aas.org/@policy.aas.org 🔭🧪
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
🚨 The President’s Budget Request for FY2026 is rumored to include a 55% cut to the National Science Foundation. Take two minutes today to ask your members of Congress to join a bipartisan letter calling for $10.18 billion in funding for the NSF. aas.org/urge-nsf-sup...
April 25, 2025 at 3:23 PM
🚨 The President’s Budget Request for FY2026 is rumored to include a 55% cut to the National Science Foundation. Take two minutes today to ask your members of Congress to join a bipartisan letter calling for $10.18 billion in funding for the NSF. aas.org/urge-nsf-sup...
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
NSF director to resign amid grant terminations, job cuts, and controversy www.science.org/content/arti...
Exclusive: NSF director to resign amid grant terminations, job cuts, and controversy
“I have done all I can,” says Sethuraman Panchanathan, a Trump appointee who has led agency since 2020
www.science.org
April 24, 2025 at 6:56 PM
NSF director to resign amid grant terminations, job cuts, and controversy www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
"Days ago, the Administration’s nominee to lead NASA called for a “new golden age of science and discovery” at the agency. The proposed budget from within the White House — which cuts NASA science by 47% — would plunge NASA into a dark age instead."
www.planetary.org/press-releas...
www.planetary.org/press-releas...
The Planetary Society warns of dark age for space science under…
The Planetary Society, the world’s largest independent space interest organization, issued a statement in response to reports of the White House’s budget…
www.planetary.org
April 11, 2025 at 5:44 PM
"Days ago, the Administration’s nominee to lead NASA called for a “new golden age of science and discovery” at the agency. The proposed budget from within the White House — which cuts NASA science by 47% — would plunge NASA into a dark age instead."
www.planetary.org/press-releas...
www.planetary.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
NASA is something every American can be and should be proud of. And for every dollar spent on it, it returns more on that investment to the economy.
Example: Their 2023 budget was $25B, and they added over $75B to the economy that year.
This is a horrible decision.
Example: Their 2023 budget was $25B, and they added over $75B to the economy that year.
This is a horrible decision.
The cuts "would kill the much-anticipated Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, an observatory seen as on par with [Hubble & JWST] that is already fully assembled and on budget for a launch in two years." Would also apparently close NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Huge, HUGE loss for science.
Hey! It's bad! arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
2/3 cut in astrophysics
2/3 cut in heliophysics
50% cut in Earth science
30% cut in planetary science
This is just such an incredible self-own, what are we doing?
2/3 cut in astrophysics
2/3 cut in heliophysics
50% cut in Earth science
30% cut in planetary science
This is just such an incredible self-own, what are we doing?
April 11, 2025 at 4:31 PM
NASA is something every American can be and should be proud of. And for every dollar spent on it, it returns more on that investment to the economy.
Example: Their 2023 budget was $25B, and they added over $75B to the economy that year.
This is a horrible decision.
Example: Their 2023 budget was $25B, and they added over $75B to the economy that year.
This is a horrible decision.
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
First the rumour was a 20% budget cut. Then, 50%. Now the president's NASA budget is out and it's a 68% cut to astrophysics ($1.5B to $487M).
Even if this gets reversed in four years, we will *never* recover the missions, partners, people who will be gone.
www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025...
Even if this gets reversed in four years, we will *never* recover the missions, partners, people who will be gone.
www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025...
Massive cuts to NASA science proposed in early White House budget plan
The preliminary version of President Donald Trump’s budget proposal to Congress, known as a “passback,” would cut the agency’s science budget funding nearly in half.
www.washingtonpost.com
April 11, 2025 at 2:54 PM
First the rumour was a 20% budget cut. Then, 50%. Now the president's NASA budget is out and it's a 68% cut to astrophysics ($1.5B to $487M).
Even if this gets reversed in four years, we will *never* recover the missions, partners, people who will be gone.
www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025...
Even if this gets reversed in four years, we will *never* recover the missions, partners, people who will be gone.
www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025...
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
Cuts to #science of >50% at NASA and >75% at NOAA would end US climate and space science research.
NASA cuts are '...an "extinction level" event': arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
"At this funding level, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research is eliminated...": www.science.org/content/arti...
NASA cuts are '...an "extinction level" event': arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
"At this funding level, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research is eliminated...": www.science.org/content/arti...
April 11, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Cuts to #science of >50% at NASA and >75% at NOAA would end US climate and space science research.
NASA cuts are '...an "extinction level" event': arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
"At this funding level, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research is eliminated...": www.science.org/content/arti...
NASA cuts are '...an "extinction level" event': arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...
"At this funding level, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research is eliminated...": www.science.org/content/arti...
Such an amazing and insightful experience. This work is more important now than ever, and I'm so grateful to the AAS for organizing this program and continuing to be a unified and loud voice for astronomers across the country!
This week 17 scientists took to the Hill as part of AAS' Congressional Visits Day to share the critical role of astronomy in driving innovation and economic growth. From undergrads to early-career researchers, they represent the next generation of leaders who will drive discovery across the country
April 9, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Such an amazing and insightful experience. This work is more important now than ever, and I'm so grateful to the AAS for organizing this program and continuing to be a unified and loud voice for astronomers across the country!
Reposted by Brandon Radzom
This week 17 scientists took to the Hill as part of AAS' Congressional Visits Day to share the critical role of astronomy in driving innovation and economic growth. From undergrads to early-career researchers, they represent the next generation of leaders who will drive discovery across the country
April 9, 2025 at 8:34 PM
This week 17 scientists took to the Hill as part of AAS' Congressional Visits Day to share the critical role of astronomy in driving innovation and economic growth. From undergrads to early-career researchers, they represent the next generation of leaders who will drive discovery across the country