"I'll buy 10 of those"–NASA science chief yearns for mass-produced satellites
NASA's science chief is advocating for the mass production of satellites to increase the agency's scientific output. Despite a stable budget, NASA is launching fewer missions compared to the past, with a focus on human spaceflight and lunar exploration. The challenge lies in balancing costs and mission complexity to enable more frequent launches of smaller, less expensive missions.
- ▪NASA's science budget this year is $7.25 billion, similar to its budget in 2000 when adjusted for inflation.
- ▪NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman is prioritizing human spaceflight and lunar missions over robotic science missions.
- ▪The agency is exploring the idea of mass-producing satellites to facilitate more frequent scientific missions.
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Closing the gap “I’ll buy 10 of those”—NASA science chief yearns for mass-produced satellites “How in the hell do I get more science into space? That is my goal.” Stephen Clark – May 19, 2026 4:43 pm | 31 Saturn's moon Enceladus peeks over the limb of Dione during a partial occultation, as seen by NASA's Cassini spacecraft on September 13, 2008. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav There are more opportunities to access space than ever, thanks to a bevy of commercial rockets, some with reusable boosters, led by SpaceX’s workhorse Falcon 9.
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