NASA's science chief, Nicky Fox, is on a mission to revolutionize space exploration by embracing mass-produced satellites. In an interview, Fox expressed her desire to see more science missions in space, stating, "How in the hell do I get more science into space? That is my goal." This sentiment reflects a broader challenge within NASA: how to balance the need for ambitious, groundbreaking missions with the constraints of budget and resources. The space agency's science budget has remained relatively flat over the past quarter-century, despite the increasing opportunities for space access, particularly through commercial rockets like SpaceX's Falcon 9. This has led to a situation where NASA is launching fewer telescopes and planetary science missions than it did in the 1990s, despite having the same or even slightly reduced budget. Fox acknowledges the complexity of the issue, noting that NASA's focus on human spaceflight and the Moon has shifted resources away from robotic science missions. She also highlights the challenge of launching smaller, more affordable missions that can still deliver significant scientific value. To address this, NASA is exploring the use of mass-produced, high-power satellites, such as the Blue Ring spacecraft being developed by Blue Origin. These satellites could be used for a variety of purposes, including deploying multiple small satellites to prospect for resources around asteroids. Fox is particularly excited about the possibilities that the commercial sector could open up for NASA, including the use of "block buys" for commercial missions to the Moon and Mars. However, Fox also recognizes the need for NASA to rebalance its science portfolio, spending less on operating legacy missions and more on new development. She is exploring ways to combine operations for multiple missions and to use AI to reduce costs. Despite the challenges, Fox remains optimistic about NASA's ability to launch more science missions in the future, particularly with the development of new technologies and the increasing involvement of the commercial sector. In her words, "We want to fly an interstellar-type probe. As the Voyagers are getting older, we want to study interstellar space. These things are hard, and they’re tough, and it will take a lot of effort to do that." Fox's passion for space exploration and her commitment to finding innovative solutions to the challenges facing NASA make her a key figure in the agency's efforts to push the boundaries of space science.
