The preliminary 2026 budget proposed by the Trump administration includes the largest single-year cut to NASA funding in the agency’s 67-year history. This proposal is part of the broader government «skinny budget» that coincides with Elon Musk’s DOGE wishlist. The budget outlines significant cuts to NASA’s science programs, including the cancellation of the Gateway space station project and the phasing out of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion capsule after just three flights.
Under Trump’s proposal, NASA’s funding would be reduced by over $6 billion from its 2025 budget, decreasing from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion. This represents a 24 percent decrease and is reported to be the largest single-year drop in NASA funding ever. The cuts are expected to heavily impact space science, with a $2.3 billion decrease, Earth science with $1.2 billion less, and legacy human exploration programs with $900 million less funding.
Additionally, the budget proposes the elimination of the Gateway project, a planned lunar orbit space station crucial for missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as a joint program with the European Space Station to return Mars soil samples to Earth. The White House also aims to halt NASA’s sustainable aviation efforts and any funding towards diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives.
The budget plan includes phasing out Boeing’s SLS and Lockheed Martin’s Orion after just three flights, despite the projects costing billions to produce. The administration is looking to replace these projects with more cost-effective commercial systems, potentially benefiting billionaire backers like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.
While most areas face cuts, human space exploration is set to receive a $650 million boost. This includes a proposed $7 billion increase in lunar exploration funding and a new $1 billion investment in Mars exploration.
It is important to note that the budget proposal would require approval from Congress, meaning that some or all of the outlined cuts and changes could be modified before the 2026 funding is finalized. Trump’s political standing has weakened since his inauguration, with recent polls showing a decline in support and a significant portion of Americans viewing him as a «dangerous dictator.»
Overall, the proposed budget paints a challenging picture for NASA’s future endeavors, with significant cuts and changes on the horizon. The fate of these initiatives ultimately lies in the hands of Congress and the ongoing political landscape. According to Space.com, the most severe budget cuts proposed by the White House would impact space science, with a $2.3 billion decrease, Earth science with $1.2 billion less, and legacy human exploration programs with $900 million less. Additionally, plans to cut funding for projects such as the Gateway lunar orbit space station and joint Mars soil sample return mission with the European Space Station are also on the table. The White House is also looking to end NASA’s sustainable aviation efforts and any funding towards diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives. The budget would phase out projects like Boeing’s SLS and Lockheed Martin’s Orion after three flights, in favor of more cost-effective commercial systems. The only area that would see an increase in funding is human space exploration, with a $650 million boost, including significant increases in lunar and Mars exploration funding. However, the budget proposal would need approval from Congress, and with President Trump’s declining political support, changes to the proposed cuts could still be made before final approval in 2026.
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