Go to https://ground.news/startalk to stay fully informed on the latest Space and Science news. Save 40% off through our link for unlimited access to the Vantage plan this month. How can we build a new Moon program while slashing science funding? Bill Nye takes the host’s chair alongside Chuck Nice to tackle one of the most urgent issues facing our future in space with Casey Dreier, Chief of Space Policy at @planetarysociety who’s been tracking and analyzing NASA’s funding for years. Why are we cutting NASA’s budget in half, right when we need it most? What’s the difference between human spaceflight and scientific exploration? Bill and Casey trace NASA’s mission back to its origins in 1958, exploring how Earth observation became one of its most vital roles. What happens to climate research when we stop monitoring our planet? What do space cuts mean for everyday life? With less than half of a percent of the federal budget going to NASA, are we really “saving” money or just shrinking our curiosity? From Mars sample return missions and the search for life to the philosophical question of whether we want to keep looking up, the team explores why exploration matters. We confront the new space race with China, the politics behind NASA’s funding, and how ordinary citizens can make a difference. If space exploration reflects who we are as a people, the question isn’t just what’s out there, it’s what kind of future do we want to build here? Together, they unpack what these unprecedented cuts mean for science, exploration, and our place in the cosmos. Thanks to our Patrons anthonee rolfson, David Moncsko, 7Linden7, Kyle Meserve, Nancy Kimmel, Marc Gardiner, Carl Cheshire, El Mero Chingón Daniel Shin, Daniel Fisher, Christopher Crider, pintos dabeans, Alfric, Ry Guy, Juan Roa, Ph1lycheez, John4Disney, Esther Klein, Mako, Matthew Schuller, Alison L Bentley, Spencer Dohm, Brandon, David Yamanoha, Yash Goyal, Emily Hendrix, Mick W, Darin Wagner, Grant Cameron, Cheryl Courtright from Spring TX, Yonatan Gher, Edward Martin, erin grant, Emilio Martinez-Cordero, Nathan Trent, Pat D, Daniel Nicgorski, Alvan Mbongo, Colin Zwicker, Grand One, Adam, ubanamie320., Eric Mill, Aikya, Sean Dalglish, brian rowley, Philip, Quentin Walker, david smith, John Dusenberry, Karina Szalaiova, Ycros, Karel Netusil, Joe M, Rossell E Cameron, Gary Weber, Major King, david powell, Six String Sam, milky, Alyssa Solis, Wrama, Deanna Szwarc, Anthony Wiseman, Veronica Tash, Carrie Wilson-Bridges, Sebastian Cruz, Rhyskel, Kendra Meinert Hodson, princess, Jessy Kaiser, Anand Raman, Lance Davis, Yvonne S McCool, cameron campbell, Gene Davis, Greg, Micheal Jarka, Jenn [Z3120], Mark Lineberger, Jimmy Walker, Noëllie Newcastle, Andrew Nolen, Andrwnick, David Harrold, Vicki, Kaelyn P, and Kevin Staley for supporting us this week. Timestamps: 00:00 - Bill Nye Takeover 01:42 - Casey Dreier: Analyzing the NASA Budget 03:32 - Earth Science Cuts 8:30 - Why Missions Happen 13:04 - “Wasting” Money in Space 16:35 - Potential Biosignatures on Mars 22:13 - Mars Sample Return 28:54 - The Space Race with China 34:38 - Before Public Funding of Science 36:33 - Investing in the Future 48:12 - The Space Launch System 52:33 - An Antidote to Cynicism Check out our second channel, @StarTalkPlus Get the NEW StarTalk book, 'To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery' on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PL0NFn Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson