NASA's SOFIA flying observatory would get the ax (again) in 2023 budget request

The flying observatory is on the chopping block again.

The White House's federal budget request for the year of 2023 allocates no money to NASA's SOFIA, a modified Boeing jet with an 8.2-foot-wide ( 2.5 meters) wing.

SOFIA has survived cancellation attempts before, but this might be different. The astrophysics decadal survey, a community-informed document that lays out the top priorities for astrophysics research over the next 10 years, also recommended axing the mission, which costs $85 million per year.

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The lack of support cited in the budget request is consistent with the recommendations of the science community.

The science productivity of the mission is not comparable to other large science missions, which is why the annual operations budget is the second-most expensive in Astrophysics.

The fiscal year begins on Oct. 1 and the request gives NASA $26 billion. The agency is getting less than $2 billion this year. Congress must approve the request in order for it to take effect.

The Mars Ice Mapper got $8.5 million in the request, but the SOFIA mission will not get any money next year. That isn't a death blow for the mission.

Mars Ice Mapper is still in pre-formulation with roles being discussed with international partners, according to the budget document.

If the budget request is enacted, key moments for several NASA missions will be delayed. The samples being collected on Mars will come to Earth in 2033 instead of 2031.

The launch of the Near-Earth Object (NEO) Surveyor mission will be delayed by two years. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is going to be launched in 2027.

Mike Wall is the author of Out There, a book about the search for alien life. You can follow him on social media. Follow us on social media.