Science

It has been just over three months since the federal spending cuts known as sequestration first took effect.

A handful of programs were spared — but not scientific research, which amounts to about $140 billion in annual government spending.

As St. Louis Public Radio’s Véronique LaCapra found out, at universities here in St. Louis, some scientists are worried about what the budget cuts will mean for their research — and for their students.

"I had to let go of some science."

A solar powered airplane that landed in St. Louis last Tuesday is scheduled to depart early tomorrow morning [Friday].

This will be the 4th leg of the aircraft’s cross-continental flight.

Solar Impulse was originally scheduled to fly directly from St. Louis to Washington DC. But because of strong winds the plane will make an additional stop in Cincinnati to allow the team to rest and switch pilots.

The plane’s 12,000 solar cells power it by day while recharging batteries that allow it to fly at night.