NASA Faces 24% Budget Cut in Trump’s FY2026 Plan, Focus on Mars

President Donald Trump’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal includes a 24% cut to NASA’s current US$24.8 billion budget, reducing the agency’s funding to US$18.8 billion. The plan cancels or scales back several flagship missions, reallocating funds to prioritize human exploration programs focused on Mars.

The proposed budget eliminates the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion crew capsule after their third joint mission under Artemis, scheduled for 2027. Development costs for SLS have reached US$23 billion since 2010 — 140% over budget — with an estimated US$4 billion cost per launch. The White House summary described the systems as “grossly expensive and delayed.”

NASA’s science budget would face a 47% cut, affecting Earth observation programs and canceling the Mars Sample Return mission. The Lunar Gateway, a planned space station in lunar orbit, would also be terminated. Northrop Grumman holds a US$935 million contract for Gateway’s module, which was delivered in April.

Only Artemis II and III — missions that would send astronauts beyond the Moon and land two on the surface — are preserved. Artemis IV and future missions, including Lockheed Martin’s US$4 billion Orion contracts for later flights, would be canceled.

In contrast, the budget allocates US$1 billion to “Mars-focused programs,” aligning with the administration’s goal of sending U.S. astronauts to Mars, a key objective of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. SpaceX’s Starship remains contracted to support Artemis landings.

Industry groups and scientists have expressed concern. The Planetary Society called the proposal “a historic step backward,” while the American Astronomical Society warned it could result in “a loss of American leadership in science.”

Congress must still review and approve the proposal, which comes as NASA awaits Senate confirmation of administrator nominee Jared Isaacman.