5Upper IntermediateExamScience

NASA Chief Pushes to Make Pluto a Planet Again

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has publicly declared his support for reclassifying Pluto as a full planet. The space agency is now preparing scientific papers to challenge the 2006 decision that demoted Pluto to a dwarf planet, reigniting one of astronomy's most famous debates.

2 min readLevel 5April 30, 2026

By Flalingo Editorial Team

Vocabulary

Study these words before reading the article. Click the audio button to hear pronunciation.

reclassified

/ˌriːˈklæsɪfaɪd/

verb (past tense)

Changed the category or group that something belongs to

“The animal was reclassified after scientists discovered new information about its species.”

criterion

/kraɪˈtɪəriən/

noun

A standard or rule used for judging or deciding something (plural: criteria)

“The main criterion for admission to the university is academic performance.”

advocate

/ˈædvəkeɪt/

noun / verb

A person who publicly supports a particular cause or idea; to publicly support something

“She is a strong advocate for protecting the environment.”

escalate

/ˈeskəleɪt/

verb

To increase in intensity, level, or importance; to bring something to a higher authority

“The manager decided to escalate the complaint to the head office.”

inconsistently

/ˌɪnkənˈsɪstəntli/

adverb

In a way that does not follow the same rules or standards each time

“The policy was applied inconsistently, which caused confusion among employees.”

controversial

/ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːʃəl/

adjective

Causing strong disagreement or argument among people

“The government's controversial decision led to protests across the country.”

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Article

Click on any underlined word to see its definition. Highlighted words are from the vocabulary section.

The head of NASA has reignited a famous debate in astronomy. Administrator Jared Isaacman stated that he supports making Pluto a planet again. He made this announcement during a U.S. Senate hearing on April 28, 2026. The hearing was focused on NASA's budget request for 2027. His comments have attracted widespread attention from scientists and the public.

Pluto was discovered in 1930 by American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh. For decades, it was classified as the ninth planet in our solar system. However, the International Astronomical Union reclassified it as a dwarf planet in 2006. The IAU stated that a planet must clear the area around its orbit. Pluto failed to meet this specific criterion because it shares space with other objects.

Isaacman revealed that NASA is currently preparing scientific papers on the topic. He said the agency hopes to escalate its position through the scientific community. Some advocates argue that the 2006 ruling was applied inconsistently. They note that Earth and Jupiter also share orbital space with asteroids. However, many astronomers maintain that the current classification reflects genuine scientific progress.

The final decision on Pluto's status rests with the IAU, not NASA. If Pluto were reclassified, it could create new complications for astronomy. Over one hundred similar objects may exist in the outer solar system. Restoring Pluto's status might require adding many more worlds to the official list. This controversial debate is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon.

Comprehension Quiz

Test your understanding of the article with these multiple-choice questions.

1
When did Jared Isaacman make his statement about Pluto?
2
Why was Pluto reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006?
3
What is NASA currently doing to support the reclassification of Pluto?
4
Who discovered Pluto in 1930?
5
What potential problem could arise if Pluto is reclassified as a planet?

Discussion

Answer these comprehension questions about the article.

1
According to the article, what specific action is NASA taking to challenge Pluto's current classification?
2
The article states that Pluto failed to meet one of the IAU's criteria. What was this criterion, and why did Pluto not meet it?
3
What evidence do Pluto advocates use to argue that the 2006 ruling was applied inconsistently?
4
According to the passage, which organisation holds the final authority over Pluto's planetary status?
5
The author suggests that reclassifying Pluto could create complications. What potential problem does the article identify?

Further Discussion

Share your opinions on these open-ended questions.

1
Do you think scientific classifications should be influenced by public opinion and emotional attachment, or should they be based purely on evidence? Why?
2
If you were a member of the IAU, would you vote to make Pluto a planet again? What factors would influence your decision?
3
How important is it for government leaders to get involved in scientific debates? Can you think of any benefits or risks?
4
Pluto has been called a dwarf planet for twenty years. Does the length of time a classification has been used matter when deciding whether to change it?
5
In your country, has there been a scientific or educational topic that caused strong public debate? What happened, and what was the outcome?