How Trump's budget cuts could affect 2 iconic space telescopes: Hubble and James Webb

image via Space.com

July 8, 2025, 1:00 PM

• •Trump's proposed 2026 budget cuts could significantly reduce funding for NASA's science programs, including the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Hubble Space Telescope (HST).
• •The JWST could face a 25-35% reduction in operations, while Hubble's instruments may have to rely on community self-support.
• •Scientists are concerned about reduced grant funding, the impact on publicity and public understanding of science, and the potential for reduced support for astronomy data archives.
• •Despite the cuts, the HST is expected to continue producing valuable astrophysics into the early 2030s, while efforts are being made to ensure JWST and HST continue their important work.

The proposed 2026 budget cuts by the Trump administration threaten NASA's science funding, potentially impacting the JWST and HST. These cuts may result in reduced operational capacity and affect the funding of scientific research. Scientists are concerned about grant funding reductions and the ability to share their discoveries with the public. Despite the budget cuts, both telescopes are expected to continue to operate, with the potential of valuable astrophysics into the future.

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