1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

The pursuit of space science is a vital undertaking that fuels innovation, advances human knowledge, and solidifies America's position as a leader in scientific exploration. Privatizing NASA's core activities would undermine these essential endeavors and jeopardize the nation's preeminence in this domain. NASA's unique role as a public institution enables it to undertake ambitious, long-term missions that push the boundaries of our understanding while training a skilled workforce and inspiring future generations. The inherent uncertainty and broad societal benefits of fundamental scientific research make it ill-suited for purely commercial interests driven by near-term profitability. While NASA collaborates effectively with private companies as contractors and service providers, the agency's oversight and public funding are crucial for ensuring rigorous scientific integrity and advancing humanity's collective knowledge of the cosmos. Maintaining robust public investment in NASA is paramount to preserving America's scientific leadership, fostering groundbreaking discoveries, and upholding the noble pursuit of exploration that has defined our nation's spirit of inquiry and progress. We must safeguard NASA's vital mission and prevent the privatization of its core scientific activities.