On Friday, President Donald Trump unveiled his “skinny” budget request for the U.S. Government’s Fiscal Year 2026, proposing $18.8 billion for NASA – a significant 25% decrease from the previous year’s funding. While the budget outlines general funding allocations for each agency, specific program details will be revealed later this month. Here’s what to expect for NASA’s key programs.
Increased Funding for Moon and Mars Exploration
Despite overall budget cuts, NASA’s exploration programs for the Moon and Mars are receiving a funding boost. The White House has proposed an additional $647 million, with $7 billion allocated for lunar exploration under the Artemis Program and $1 billion dedicated to Mars exploration. This aligns with President Trump’s stated interest in prioritizing Mars missions, although funding for the Moon remains essential due to congressional approval and rising geopolitical tensions with China.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has emphasized the importance of pursuing both lunar and Martian missions simultaneously, and this budget proposal aims to support that dual focus.
Shift to Commercial Launch Providers
The budget indicates a strategic pivot away from NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft for lunar missions beyond Artemis II. Instead, the administration is pushing for commercial heavy-lift rockets, a move that could potentially cancel ongoing projects like the Mobile Launcher 2 tower at Kennedy Space Center and the SLS Exploration Upper Stage upgrade.
Major Cuts to Space Science Programs
NASA’s science programs are poised to bear the brunt of the budget cuts, with a proposed $2.2 billion reduction. This includes the potential cancellation of the Mars Sample Return mission, deemed “unaffordable” under the new budget priorities. Critics argue that these cuts could undermine NASA’s role as a leader in space research, waste taxpayer dollars already invested in these missions, and potentially end careers in space science prematurely.
Billion-Dollar Reductions in Earth Science and Mission Support
The White House’s focus on lunar and Martian exploration comes at a cost to Earth Science and Mission Support. Both divisions face $1.1 billion cuts. The Earth Science program would see reductions in “low-level climate monitoring,” with a planned restructuring of NASA’s Landsat program for cost efficiency. Meanwhile, Mission Support, responsible for maintaining NASA’s operational infrastructure, is also set to undergo significant “streamlining.”
Reduced ISS Crew and Research Capacity
The International Space Station (ISS) is not immune to the budget tightening, with a proposed $503 million cut. This would likely reduce the crew size and research capacity, potentially lowering the number of crew members available to focus on scientific research. NASA has yet to provide specific details, but a smaller crew could lead to operational challenges and a decline in scientific output.
STEM Outreach on the Chopping Block
Once again, NASA’s STEM Outreach division faces elimination under the proposed budget. The administration argues that inspiring the next generation of explorers should come through ambitious missions rather than “woke STEM programming.” However, during Trump’s first term, Congress fully funded the STEM division despite similar attempts to shut it down. Whether Congress will step in again remains to be seen.
What’s Next?
It’s important to remember that the budget proposal is just that – a proposal. Congress holds the ultimate authority to approve, reject, or modify the budget. While many lawmakers have expressed concerns about NASA’s cuts, especially to science and STEM programs, the final outcome will likely take months to negotiate. For now, the fate of NASA’s key programs hangs in the balance as budget talks continue.
