Trump cuts NASA budget but not Moon and Mars ambitions
World
U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed slashing NASA’s 2026 budget from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion—a 25% cut. Yet, he continues to support crewed missions to the Moon and Mars, even proposing increased funding for those specific programs.
The proposed budget cut threatens to shut down 40 projects and lay off up to 5,500 NASA employees. While Trump claims this is a move toward deficit reduction, his overall federal budget proposal would increase the national debt by $2.5 trillion over a decade. The decision has sparked tension with Elon Musk.
Interestingly, while many programs face closure, Moon and Mars missions are gaining support. NASA’s human spaceflight budget is set to rise to $8.3 billion in 2026. Still, Trump wants to terminate the Artemis program after its third mission, dropping plans for lunar bases and the Gateway station in favor of a faster Mars push.
Scientists are alarmed. They argue there’s no transparent reasoning behind which projects are being cut, and compare the abandonment of successful missions to “cultural vandalism.” Canceling active programs like Chandra and Fermi telescopes could severely impact scientific progress.
The final NASA budget is still pending approval in Congress. Senator Ted Cruz has proposed a $10 billion increase to support Artemis and a Mars relay satellite. But so far, there is little political momentum to preserve the broader scope of scientific exploration.
Interestingly, while many programs face closure, Moon and Mars missions are gaining support. NASA’s human spaceflight budget is set to rise to $8.3 billion in 2026. Still, Trump wants to terminate the Artemis program after its third mission, dropping plans for lunar bases and the Gateway station in favor of a faster Mars push.
Scientists are alarmed. They argue there’s no transparent reasoning behind which projects are being cut, and compare the abandonment of successful missions to “cultural vandalism.” Canceling active programs like Chandra and Fermi telescopes could severely impact scientific progress.
The final NASA budget is still pending approval in Congress. Senator Ted Cruz has proposed a $10 billion increase to support Artemis and a Mars relay satellite. But so far, there is little political momentum to preserve the broader scope of scientific exploration.
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