Scientists call out Ted Cruz over statement that Earth studies should not be a 'core function' of NASA

Earth hath no fury like a scientist scorned.

The American Geophysical Union, which is made up of more than 60,000 Earth and space scientists, sent a letter to Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) on Friday, one day after Cruz told NASA administrator Charles Boden that there is too much focus on Earth science missions.

"Almost any American would agree that the core function of NASA is to explore space," Cruz said in remarks reported by Mashable. "That's what inspires little boys and little girls across this country."

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Cruz, who chairs the Senate's Commerce Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness — which oversees NASA — told Bolden more resources should be reserved for deep space exploration. The AGU disagrees.

"Earth Science Division missions aid in flood prediction, earthquake response, and severe storm tracking," the letter reads. "The applicability of these missions cannot be overstated given their impact on your constituents."

Read the full letter to Cruz, here.