NASA’s Proposed 2026 Budget Cuts $6 Billion, Mainly Impacting Science Programs

On Friday, the White House unveiled a budget proposal outlining significant reforms at NASA as part of its initiative to secure $163 billion in federal funding.

The suggested reductions include a nearly 25% cut, translating to over $6 billion, from NASA’s budget. The most substantial decreases target the agency’s Space Science, Earth Science, and Mission Support divisions.

The blueprint also advocates for a space launch system rocket and Orion spacecraft aimed at returning astronauts to the moon, but proposes to terminate the program after just two more missions.

The SLS Megarocket and Orion Spacecraft were fundamental components of NASA’s Artemis Moon initiative, named after the Greek goddess associated with the moon. This mission aimed to create a base camp on the lunar surface and facilitate regular missions.

Critics have pointed out that the SLS rocket exceeds the scale and capabilities of the historic Saturn V booster used in the Apollo missions, resulting in significant delays and budget overruns.

President Donald Trump’s budget draft seeks to terminate the Artemis II test flight, expected to launch in early 2026, as well as the Artemis III mission, planned for mid-2027.

A document outlining the budget requests indicates a shift in NASA’s funding priorities aimed at “returning to the moon and placing the first human on Mars.”

The proposal envisions a hub for space stations in lunar orbit, along with the cancellation of the lunar gateway project, which was intended to play a crucial role in upcoming deep-space missions.

Other significant changes include a $2.265 billion reduction in NASA’s Space Science budget, a $1.161 billion cut in Earth Science funding, and a $5 billion decrease for the International Space Station.

Additionally, these budget cuts will shrink the size of the crew aboard the space station and limit scientific research capabilities, while preparing for its decommissioning by 2030, as part of a transition to commercial space stations, dependent on budget requirements.

In an internal email obtained by NBC News, NASA’s acting administrator, Janet Petro, stated that the proposed budget “demonstrates the administration’s backing for our mission and sets the foundation for our next significant accomplishment.”

She encouraged NASA employees to “exercise patience, resilience, and the discipline needed to achieve unprecedented feats,” acknowledging the budgetary constraints as “difficult choices” that would result in some activities being discontinued.

Among other points, Petro highlighted that under the discretionary budget, NASA would dissolve the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft programs, as well as the gateway initiative, and halt funding for the Mars sample return project.

Petro’s communications did not specify which aerospace and defense contractors might gain or lose federal support due to these proposed changes. However, companies such as SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, and the United Launch Alliance (a collaboration between Boeing and Lockheed Martin) are positioned as leading launch providers in the absence of the SLS.