** Lawmakers are raising concerns that proposed budget cuts to NASA’s planetary defense program could weaken the agency’s ability to detect and track potentially hazardous asteroids. During a recent congressional hearing, experts warned that scaling back funding might leave the U.S. unprepared for a catastrophic asteroid impact—something NASA has been actively working to prevent.

What This Mean: ** While asteroid strikes might sound like sci-fi, they’re a real (if rare) threat—just ask the dinosaurs. NASA’s planetary defense program isn’t just about doomsday scenarios; it’s a practical safeguard against a low-probability but high-consequence risk. If funding shrinks, early-warning systems could suffer, leaving us more vulnerable. It’s a classic "pay now or pay later" dilemma, and Congress seems worried we’re choosing the wrong option.