Trump's NASA Budget Cuts $6 Billion, Prioritizes Mars Exploration

President Donald Trump's proposed 2026 budget makes sweeping changes to NASA's funding, cutting $6 billion—representing nearly a quarter of the agency's budget—in what is described as the largest single-year reduction in NASA's history. The proposal shifts NASA's focus from long-term lunar missions to prioritizing crewed exploration of Mars, with $1 billion earmarked for Mars initiatives and over $7 billion for lunar missions as a stepping stone. Major programs face cuts or elimination, including the Space Launch System (SLS), Orion capsule, and the lunar-orbiting Gateway station, with plans to retire SLS and Orion after just two additional flights. The budget emphasizes transitioning to more cost-effective commercial systems—potentially from companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin—instead of NASA's legacy hardware. Space science, Earth science, and international collaborations would also see significant reductions, raising concerns about the impact on partnerships and scientific research. While the administration touts the move as necessary for advancing U.S. leadership in space and beating China to the moon and Mars, critics warn it could disrupt existing programs and weaken NASA's infrastructure.