NASA's Webb telescope faces potential 20% budget cuts impacting operations

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope faces potential budget cuts of about 20% starting in October 2025. This could significantly reduce the observatory's productivity and impact various operations, including observation planning and data analysis. The telescope, which began its mission in 2022, has been successful in exploring distant galaxies and exoplanets. However, the budget cuts would affect staffing and resources needed for its ongoing operations. NASA's budget for Webb in 2025 is $187 million, but rising costs and inflation have strained its funding. The agency's broader budget includes significant investments in other projects, which may limit available resources for Webb.