The operation of the nation’s space borne observatories is so severely impacted by the current funding climate in Washington that the [Senior Review Panel] feels that American pre-eminence in the study of the Universe from space is threatened to the point of irreparable damage if additional funds cannot be found to fill the projected funding gaps.
The SRP was also asked to recommend a path forward should no additional funds be found. Reluctantly the Panel did so.
Spitzer and MaxWISE are tagged.
Words fail.
The full report of the 2014 NASA Astrophysics Senior Review is at:
http://science.nasa.gov/media/medialibrary/2014/05/15/Final_Report_Astro2014_SeniorReview_Panel.pdf