NASA is moving full steam ahead, at least according to Sean Duffy, the agency’s agent manager.
During an internal employee town hall on Thursday, Duffy cautioned that he could “make safety an adversary of progress” in the quest for a new space race, as reported in meeting notes acquired by NBC News.
“We must prioritize safety, collaborating with FAA and DOT, yet sometimes that same safety focus can obstruct our progress,” said Duffy, who is also the Secretary of Transport.
“We need to embrace some risks and encourage innovation to carry out this mission. There’s always a balance, but we cannot hold back due to fear of risk.”
A spokesperson from NASA stated the agency remains committed to safety.
Duffy’s remarks arise amidst ongoing turmoil at NASA, where questions about the agency’s budget and priorities have persisted for years. Since the Trump administration began, NASA and other agencies have experienced significant funding and personnel cuts in an effort to downsize the federal workforce.
At a Senate hearing this week, Duffy expressed his frustration about the “shadows cast on everything happening at NASA.”
iSpace via business wire via AP file
“If that’s the narrative we crafted, I’ll be in trouble,” Duffy remarked. “We beat the Chinese to the moon. We’ll ensure it’s done safely, quickly, and accurately.”
Facing a Time Crunch
He emphasized that time is not in NASA’s favor.
“We are under pressure to perform effectively, rapidly, and safely,” Duffy stated.
NASA’s Artemis program plays a critical role in American efforts to return astronauts to the moon, aiming for regular lunar missions before eventually heading to Mars.
The U.S. previously dominated the Moonshot era during the Apollo program from the 1960s to 1970s, yet its long-standing advantages are now at risk. Competitors like China, Russia, India, and Japan are also aspiring for lunar missions, igniting a new space race.
China, in particular, is swiftly advancing its human spaceflight initiatives. Recently, they tested new lunar mission equipment and rockets, a key step towards realizing their ambitions.
China aims to land astronauts on the moon by 2030, and has announced plans to potentially build a nuclear power plant on the moon in collaboration with Russia to provide electricity.
In the U.S., President Trump’s budget proposal suggested cutting NASA’s funding by over $6 billion.
Despite a proposed budget reduction of about 24%, Duffy maintained that the Artemis program will proceed, although “cost-cutting is vital.”
Around 4,000 NASA employees have taken a voluntary retirement plan as part of the Trump administration’s initiative to decrease the federal workforce.
In July, Reuters reported that over 2,000 senior employees from NASA are expected to exit due to the recent cuts.
Currently, Duffy believes NASA possesses the necessary resources and talent to accomplish its missions in the near future.
“If we fall short, I assure the President 100% that I will approach OMB, the House, and Senate to request additional funding,” Duffy declared.
“More funding doesn’t guarantee success, but I will seek it if needed,” he added.
Duffy stated that he plans to lead initiatives in government space exploration “in the near future.”
Source: www.nbcnews.com
