Space: worried about Trump’s policies, an American researcher leaves NASA for Toulouse

Joining NASA is a dream shared by many young people aspiring to join the space sector. But since the election of Donald Trump in the fall of 2024, the famous American space agency has lost some of its splendor and several veterans of the prestigious institution have set sail.

This is the case with John Baker. An astronomer specializing in gravitational waves, he spent twenty years at NASA before leaving the country to join Toulouse last fall as part of the Choose France scheme which aims to welcome researchers to France.

Upon his arrival at Capitol Hill, Donald Trump announced that he wanted to cut NASA’s budget by 24% to make $18 billion in savings, prioritizing space exploration to the Moon and Mars and castigating the programs of “Low priority climate monitoring satellites”.

« La dernière année passée à la NASA a été difficile. The agency was strongly encouraging people to leave and trying to reduce its workforce. NASA continues to have a strong core of exceptional scientists on its staff. Most of the researchers were very determined to continue their mission, even in difficult circumstances.se remémore John Baker.

Since the launch of the Choose France system, the country has attracted 41 researchers from the United States, including two from NASA. Like Kartik Sheth, the former number 3 in NASA’s scientific management who moved to Marseille after his dismissal.

To make a fresh start, John Baker first considered moving to Canada where he has family. But his final choice ultimately fell on France because of the space programs carried out from the Pink City.