Trump Proposes Historic NASA Budget Cuts

The Trump administration has proposed a $6 billion, or 24%, cut to NASA's 2026 budget, marking one of the largest reductions in the agency's history. The plan would phase out the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion crew capsule after Artemis III due to high costs and delays, replacing them with commercial vehicles for future lunar missions. Major programs such as the Lunar Gateway station and Mars Sample Return mission would be terminated, with the Mars project cited as unaffordable after cost overruns reaching $11 billion. Science, Earth science, and mission support programs would also face significant reductions, while $1 billion would be directed toward Mars-focused initiatives. The administration says these shifts aim to make U.S. human space exploration more efficient and prioritize beating China back to the Moon. Critics, including The Planetary Society and space experts, warn the cuts could severely impact NASA's scientific capability and international collaborations, and the proposal still requires Congressional approval.