NASAEarthWatch
@nasaearthwatch.bsky.social
Witnessing and documenting the decimation of Earth Sciences at NASA. A personal and partial view from a veteran scientist employed at one of the centers. Sharing information and occasional comment.
🧪#NASACuts
Next week will be of consequence for the (Earth Science) Building 33 as it prepares for and receives personnel from the Heliophysics lab (Building 21, 150 people). B33 has a lot of empty office space due in large part because so many people left either contractors with funding
1/4
Next week will be of consequence for the (Earth Science) Building 33 as it prepares for and receives personnel from the Heliophysics lab (Building 21, 150 people). B33 has a lot of empty office space due in large part because so many people left either contractors with funding
1/4
December 8, 2025 at 2:46 PM
🧪#NASACuts
Next week will be of consequence for the (Earth Science) Building 33 as it prepares for and receives personnel from the Heliophysics lab (Building 21, 150 people). B33 has a lot of empty office space due in large part because so many people left either contractors with funding
1/4
Next week will be of consequence for the (Earth Science) Building 33 as it prepares for and receives personnel from the Heliophysics lab (Building 21, 150 people). B33 has a lot of empty office space due in large part because so many people left either contractors with funding
1/4
🧪
A new self-introduction
A new self-introduction
December 6, 2025 at 3:38 PM
🧪
A new self-introduction
A new self-introduction
So, even if the Congress (more favorable) budget is adopted, it $1B less for Earth Science. This is just extinction level catastrophe. No way to find anything positive in this.
September 21, 2025 at 6:55 PM
So, even if the Congress (more favorable) budget is adopted, it $1B less for Earth Science. This is just extinction level catastrophe. No way to find anything positive in this.
I insist that you should take a look at the article but I would like to point out that as quoted "Landsat generated $25B in economic benefits just within the US in 2023"
2/2
2/2
August 21, 2025 at 1:37 PM
I insist that you should take a look at the article but I would like to point out that as quoted "Landsat generated $25B in economic benefits just within the US in 2023"
2/2
2/2
Many are quietly bearing the weight of these cuts, and their voices deserve to be heard just as much.
7/7
7/7
August 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Many are quietly bearing the weight of these cuts, and their voices deserve to be heard just as much.
7/7
7/7
What’s notably missing is recognition of the societal gains made possible through NASA’s Earth observation efforts. The explosion of commercial satellite enterprises today is built on decades of NASA’s innovation in satellite technology.
3/7
3/7
August 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
What’s notably missing is recognition of the societal gains made possible through NASA’s Earth observation efforts. The explosion of commercial satellite enterprises today is built on decades of NASA’s innovation in satellite technology.
3/7
3/7
A new form is being circulated at NOAA, asking seminar presenters to sign in order to participate.
While similar forms exist, this one is written to sound like a Faustian contract—demanding you give away your soul and your atoms.
@altnoaa.bsky.social @nasawatch.bsky.social
While similar forms exist, this one is written to sound like a Faustian contract—demanding you give away your soul and your atoms.
@altnoaa.bsky.social @nasawatch.bsky.social
August 5, 2025 at 2:05 PM
A new form is being circulated at NOAA, asking seminar presenters to sign in order to participate.
While similar forms exist, this one is written to sound like a Faustian contract—demanding you give away your soul and your atoms.
@altnoaa.bsky.social @nasawatch.bsky.social
While similar forms exist, this one is written to sound like a Faustian contract—demanding you give away your soul and your atoms.
@altnoaa.bsky.social @nasawatch.bsky.social
🧪🌎#NASAcuts
From a Goddard CS who manage(d) a critical network used for air pollution monitoring and satellite validation effort. It is being shutdown now.
So sad to see people who spent decades in this institution be gone so fast with still so much to give.
@nasawatch.bsky.social
From a Goddard CS who manage(d) a critical network used for air pollution monitoring and satellite validation effort. It is being shutdown now.
So sad to see people who spent decades in this institution be gone so fast with still so much to give.
@nasawatch.bsky.social
July 30, 2025 at 3:12 PM
🧪🌎#NASAcuts
From a Goddard CS who manage(d) a critical network used for air pollution monitoring and satellite validation effort. It is being shutdown now.
So sad to see people who spent decades in this institution be gone so fast with still so much to give.
@nasawatch.bsky.social
From a Goddard CS who manage(d) a critical network used for air pollution monitoring and satellite validation effort. It is being shutdown now.
So sad to see people who spent decades in this institution be gone so fast with still so much to give.
@nasawatch.bsky.social
current draft budget, science funding is still set to be cut.
In the comments, someone rightly points out the critical importance of Earth sciences (see attached).
Overall, we're not out of the woods—the fire is already at the edges, and there’s no rain in sight.
6/6
In the comments, someone rightly points out the critical importance of Earth sciences (see attached).
Overall, we're not out of the woods—the fire is already at the edges, and there’s no rain in sight.
6/6
July 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
current draft budget, science funding is still set to be cut.
In the comments, someone rightly points out the critical importance of Earth sciences (see attached).
Overall, we're not out of the woods—the fire is already at the edges, and there’s no rain in sight.
6/6
In the comments, someone rightly points out the critical importance of Earth sciences (see attached).
Overall, we're not out of the woods—the fire is already at the edges, and there’s no rain in sight.
6/6
lobbying efforts. This is where I wishes societies like the American Geophysical Union or American Meteorological Society make themselves more vocal and heard by journalists.
The only mention of science in the article is a statement (see attachment) acknowledging that, even under the
5/6
The only mention of science in the article is a statement (see attachment) acknowledging that, even under the
5/6
July 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
lobbying efforts. This is where I wishes societies like the American Geophysical Union or American Meteorological Society make themselves more vocal and heard by journalists.
The only mention of science in the article is a statement (see attachment) acknowledging that, even under the
5/6
The only mention of science in the article is a statement (see attachment) acknowledging that, even under the
5/6
#NASAcuts
After about 24 weeks, the usual Friday email drops from Janet Petro (now former acting administrator) have finally stopped. What a relief.😅
For those who don’t know, JP won over the NASA workforce by sending out weekly, sycophantic emails praising the new administration and ...
After about 24 weeks, the usual Friday email drops from Janet Petro (now former acting administrator) have finally stopped. What a relief.😅
For those who don’t know, JP won over the NASA workforce by sending out weekly, sycophantic emails praising the new administration and ...
July 16, 2025 at 1:53 AM
#NASAcuts
After about 24 weeks, the usual Friday email drops from Janet Petro (now former acting administrator) have finally stopped. What a relief.😅
For those who don’t know, JP won over the NASA workforce by sending out weekly, sycophantic emails praising the new administration and ...
After about 24 weeks, the usual Friday email drops from Janet Petro (now former acting administrator) have finally stopped. What a relief.😅
For those who don’t know, JP won over the NASA workforce by sending out weekly, sycophantic emails praising the new administration and ...
@agu.org has a single post in its main webpage (but it does a note offering to waive fees to impacted scientists), and @ametsoc.org hasn’t addressed the issue on its homepage.
🫥 No signals on platforms like Bluesky either.
The contrast raises questions.
2/n
🫥 No signals on platforms like Bluesky either.
The contrast raises questions.
2/n
July 13, 2025 at 8:24 PM
@agu.org has a single post in its main webpage (but it does a note offering to waive fees to impacted scientists), and @ametsoc.org hasn’t addressed the issue on its homepage.
🫥 No signals on platforms like Bluesky either.
The contrast raises questions.
2/n
🫥 No signals on platforms like Bluesky either.
The contrast raises questions.
2/n
So much for incentivizing grand science
Just two years ago, over 50 research areas were listed as priorities (not all funded yearly).Previous years were similar.
This is how U.S. research is being dismantled.
Just two years ago, over 50 research areas were listed as priorities (not all funded yearly).Previous years were similar.
This is how U.S. research is being dismantled.
July 11, 2025 at 2:29 PM
So much for incentivizing grand science
Just two years ago, over 50 research areas were listed as priorities (not all funded yearly).Previous years were similar.
This is how U.S. research is being dismantled.
Just two years ago, over 50 research areas were listed as priorities (not all funded yearly).Previous years were similar.
This is how U.S. research is being dismantled.
Only 10 programs are listed for funding (some dates TBD, which is standard). They’re very specific calls tied to ongoing missions or topics under “Applications,” however you define it. But there’s very little connected to scientific exploration or new idea development.
2/n
2/n
July 11, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Only 10 programs are listed for funding (some dates TBD, which is standard). They’re very specific calls tied to ongoing missions or topics under “Applications,” however you define it. But there’s very little connected to scientific exploration or new idea development.
2/n
2/n
#NASACuts
ROSES is the funding program through which NASA requests proposals to conduct the science it’s known for.
Normally out by February, the 2025 call was just released.
It shows the cuts that have been discussed.
In Earth Sciences ....
1/n
ROSES is the funding program through which NASA requests proposals to conduct the science it’s known for.
Normally out by February, the 2025 call was just released.
It shows the cuts that have been discussed.
In Earth Sciences ....
1/n
July 11, 2025 at 2:29 PM
#NASACuts
ROSES is the funding program through which NASA requests proposals to conduct the science it’s known for.
Normally out by February, the 2025 call was just released.
It shows the cuts that have been discussed.
In Earth Sciences ....
1/n
ROSES is the funding program through which NASA requests proposals to conduct the science it’s known for.
Normally out by February, the 2025 call was just released.
It shows the cuts that have been discussed.
In Earth Sciences ....
1/n
RE: new NASA administrator
Clearly they lowered the standards to be an administratior.
You just have say you have seen a rocket launch in person and a couple of astronauts (and of course say you have the president direct phone #)
Clearly they lowered the standards to be an administratior.
You just have say you have seen a rocket launch in person and a couple of astronauts (and of course say you have the president direct phone #)
July 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
RE: new NASA administrator
Clearly they lowered the standards to be an administratior.
You just have say you have seen a rocket launch in person and a couple of astronauts (and of course say you have the president direct phone #)
Clearly they lowered the standards to be an administratior.
You just have say you have seen a rocket launch in person and a couple of astronauts (and of course say you have the president direct phone #)
🧪 🛰️🚀#NASAcuts
The latest I heard that about upwards of 300 civil servant in Goddard are retiring, this is about 10% of the existing CS workforce .
This is clearly not what they wanted to achieve and they will be forced to more insourcing (ie shift CS to do contractor work) or just firing.
1/2
The latest I heard that about upwards of 300 civil servant in Goddard are retiring, this is about 10% of the existing CS workforce .
This is clearly not what they wanted to achieve and they will be forced to more insourcing (ie shift CS to do contractor work) or just firing.
1/2
July 10, 2025 at 2:42 PM
🧪 🛰️🚀#NASAcuts
The latest I heard that about upwards of 300 civil servant in Goddard are retiring, this is about 10% of the existing CS workforce .
This is clearly not what they wanted to achieve and they will be forced to more insourcing (ie shift CS to do contractor work) or just firing.
1/2
The latest I heard that about upwards of 300 civil servant in Goddard are retiring, this is about 10% of the existing CS workforce .
This is clearly not what they wanted to achieve and they will be forced to more insourcing (ie shift CS to do contractor work) or just firing.
1/2
🧪🚀
With just under a month to go before another anniversary marking the founding of #NASA, it's a good time to revisit some key passages found in its very first foundational document.
Notably, there are clear references to:
- NASA’s identity as a civilian agency
1/2
With just under a month to go before another anniversary marking the founding of #NASA, it's a good time to revisit some key passages found in its very first foundational document.
Notably, there are clear references to:
- NASA’s identity as a civilian agency
1/2
June 30, 2025 at 1:05 PM
🧪🚀
With just under a month to go before another anniversary marking the founding of #NASA, it's a good time to revisit some key passages found in its very first foundational document.
Notably, there are clear references to:
- NASA’s identity as a civilian agency
1/2
With just under a month to go before another anniversary marking the founding of #NASA, it's a good time to revisit some key passages found in its very first foundational document.
Notably, there are clear references to:
- NASA’s identity as a civilian agency
1/2
🧪
NASA is acting on its premise and it has terminated a cooperative agreement with USRA. The coop webpage is down now but ironically NASA webpage still has information about the program .
Screen capture below in case this webpage is taken down too.
science.nasa.gov/science-rese...
NASA is acting on its premise and it has terminated a cooperative agreement with USRA. The coop webpage is down now but ironically NASA webpage still has information about the program .
Screen capture below in case this webpage is taken down too.
science.nasa.gov/science-rese...
June 24, 2025 at 3:38 PM
🧪
NASA is acting on its premise and it has terminated a cooperative agreement with USRA. The coop webpage is down now but ironically NASA webpage still has information about the program .
Screen capture below in case this webpage is taken down too.
science.nasa.gov/science-rese...
NASA is acting on its premise and it has terminated a cooperative agreement with USRA. The coop webpage is down now but ironically NASA webpage still has information about the program .
Screen capture below in case this webpage is taken down too.
science.nasa.gov/science-rese...
On the departure of employees , it was noted by our center's director last week who will be the most affected.
bsky.app/profile/nasa...
bsky.app/profile/nasa...
June 24, 2025 at 3:04 PM
On the departure of employees , it was noted by our center's director last week who will be the most affected.
bsky.app/profile/nasa...
bsky.app/profile/nasa...
It appears the acting admin hired a new coms officer to remind everybody that NASA is for the Moon and beyond.
Meanwhile the flow of NASA satellite and surface data into models is decreasing.
I wonder if PAO or the acting admin will ever comment on that.
Meanwhile the flow of NASA satellite and surface data into models is decreasing.
I wonder if PAO or the acting admin will ever comment on that.
June 24, 2025 at 1:47 PM
It appears the acting admin hired a new coms officer to remind everybody that NASA is for the Moon and beyond.
Meanwhile the flow of NASA satellite and surface data into models is decreasing.
I wonder if PAO or the acting admin will ever comment on that.
Meanwhile the flow of NASA satellite and surface data into models is decreasing.
I wonder if PAO or the acting admin will ever comment on that.
As of 2001 when published, there were 19 major climate modeling initiatives in the US : 4 at NASA (JPL, DAO, GISS,GSFC), 3 at NOAA .
Also the NAVY through NRL (their research lab) had a model. So they were already thinking of it's importance.
How many will be left after 2025?
Also the NAVY through NRL (their research lab) had a model. So they were already thinking of it's importance.
How many will be left after 2025?
June 24, 2025 at 1:39 PM
As of 2001 when published, there were 19 major climate modeling initiatives in the US : 4 at NASA (JPL, DAO, GISS,GSFC), 3 at NOAA .
Also the NAVY through NRL (their research lab) had a model. So they were already thinking of it's importance.
How many will be left after 2025?
Also the NAVY through NRL (their research lab) had a model. So they were already thinking of it's importance.
How many will be left after 2025?
🌎🧪
Given for free at our center's library , these are @pnas.org reports on strategies to improve US climate models.
I guess it is better to give them away before they are burnt.
Given for free at our center's library , these are @pnas.org reports on strategies to improve US climate models.
I guess it is better to give them away before they are burnt.
June 24, 2025 at 1:32 PM
🌎🧪
Given for free at our center's library , these are @pnas.org reports on strategies to improve US climate models.
I guess it is better to give them away before they are burnt.
Given for free at our center's library , these are @pnas.org reports on strategies to improve US climate models.
I guess it is better to give them away before they are burnt.
Earth science building parking lot today mid afternoon (on federal holiday)
15 years ago you would see 20-30 cars parked, early career & postdocs would be her anytime.
People change, times change.
15 years ago you would see 20-30 cars parked, early career & postdocs would be her anytime.
People change, times change.
June 20, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Earth science building parking lot today mid afternoon (on federal holiday)
15 years ago you would see 20-30 cars parked, early career & postdocs would be her anytime.
People change, times change.
15 years ago you would see 20-30 cars parked, early career & postdocs would be her anytime.
People change, times change.
Today , our Sciences & Exploration Director at the center announced that she is taking up on one of the voluntary retirement plans and leaving soon.
This is just the most visible head of the many other senior personnel in the science directorate who are have suggested it is best to leave or else.
This is just the most visible head of the many other senior personnel in the science directorate who are have suggested it is best to leave or else.
June 18, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Today , our Sciences & Exploration Director at the center announced that she is taking up on one of the voluntary retirement plans and leaving soon.
This is just the most visible head of the many other senior personnel in the science directorate who are have suggested it is best to leave or else.
This is just the most visible head of the many other senior personnel in the science directorate who are have suggested it is best to leave or else.