N ASA knew it was in for a grim year. In early May the White House published a preliminary budget that proposed drastic cuts in the agency’s funding, from $24.8bn to $18.8bn. That would bring it to its lowest level, when adjusted for inflation, in several decades, with the agency’s scientific work taking the brunt. On May 30th the agency was given the full details, as a newer version of the budget spelled out exactly where the axe would fall.