1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I urge you to increase NASA's Science Mission Directorate budget beyond its current $7.3 billion and ensure a robust mission roster across all NASA centers. NASA's science work directly improves the daily lives of millions of Americans while maintaining our nation's scientific leadership. NASA centers manage missions that have revolutionized our understanding of the universe and produced technologies we use every day. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Mars rovers have operated for years beyond their planned lifespans, demonstrating American engineering excellence. Goddard Space Flight Center's Earth observation satellites provide critical data for weather forecasting, wildfire tracking, and climate monitoring that protects lives and property. Marshall Space Flight Center's work on telescopes and space instruments has enabled discoveries that transformed astronomy. These centers' research on GPS technology, water purification, medical imaging, and materials science delivers returns far exceeding their costs. A strong mission roster means retaining thousands of highly skilled engineers and scientists whose expertise cannot be easily replaced once lost. A gap in mission funding means losing this irreplaceable workforce and the institutional knowledge they carry. JPL, Goddard, Marshall, Ames, and other centers employ people whose work spans decades of continuous innovation. When missions end without new ones beginning, we lose not just current projects but future capabilities. I strongly oppose any privatization of NASA science missions. Public missions ensure research serves the broader public interest rather than corporate profit motives. NASA's transparent peer review process and open data sharing have produced innovations that benefit everyone, not just those who can afford to pay. Maintaining the current budget is insufficient. We need increased investment to support new missions, retain talent, and compete with other nations rapidly expanding their space programs. China plans to return samples from Mars by 2031. Without increased funding, America risks falling behind in space exploration and the technological advantages it provides. Please champion increased funding for NASA's Science Mission Directorate and protect mission rosters across all NASA centers from cuts or privatization.