NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2, shown in this illustration, would disintegrate in Earth’s atmosphere upon decommissioning. (Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech)The Trump administration is looking to end two NASA missions that monitor carbon dioxide emissions and plant health, tools experts say are crucial in the global fight against climate change. According to the Associated Press, President Donald Trump’s proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year allocates no funding for the Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCO) program.These include a free-flying satellite launched in 2014 and a high-precision instrument attached to the International Space Station since 2019.NASA, in a statement emailed on Wednesday, said the missions are “beyond their prime mission” and are being terminated “to align with the President’s agenda and budget priorities.”Despite the administration’s stance, climate scientists warn that the two missions are far from obsolete. David Crisp, a retired NASA scientist who led their development, described the observatories as “more sensitive and accurate than any other systems in the world,” reported AP, and a “national asset”.Among their breakthroughs are discovering that the Amazon rainforest now emits more carbon dioxide than it absorbs, and that boreal forests in Canada and Russia are becoming unexpected carbon sinks. The satellites can also detect photosynthesis in plants, which helps monitor droughts and predict food shortages, a factor closely linked to civil unrest and famine.“This is really critical,” Crisp said. “We’re learning so much about this rapidly changing planet.”The missions remain funded through the end of the current fiscal year on September 30. However, the future remains uncertain.Story continues below this adA House bill closely aligns with Trump’s request and would eliminate the missions, while a Senate version preserves them. With Congress currently in recess, it’s unclear if a final budget will be approved before October 1. Lawmakers may opt for a temporary resolution to maintain current funding.Also Read: | How Trump-Musk break-up can severely affect NASA and its future space missionsSome congressional Democrats have also warned NASA that terminating missions or withholding appropriated funds could be illegal, according to AP.In a last-ditch effort, Crisp and other scientists are looking to build an international coalition, including partners from Japan and Europe, to keep the ISS-mounted instrument operational. NASA has announced it will accept outside proposals through August 29.However, the free-flying satellite may be de-orbited, causing it to burn up in Earth’s atmosphere. According to National Public Radio, NASA personnel have already begun planning for its shutdown.Story continues below this adEfforts are also underway to find private or philanthropic funding to keep the satellite running, though Crisp called this a flawed solution. “It’s a really, really bad idea to try and push it off onto private industry or private individuals or private donors,” he said according to AP. “It just doesn’t make sense.”(With inputs from AP, The Mirror US)Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:donald trumpNASA