NASA Programs in Budget Crosshairs: What’s Thriving and What’s Struggling?

Budget would eliminate several projects that are hitting proposed targets or actively conducting valuable research.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, July 09, 2025 at 04:36 PM ET

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Jack Daleo

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is among projects in the crosshairs of the White House’s fiscal year 2026 budget. [Courtesy: NASA]

Key Takeaways:

The White House's FY2026 budget proposes a historic 24% cut to NASA's funding, reducing it to $18.8 billion, with a significant shift in priorities to boost human space exploration (lunar and Mars missions) while slashing science programs by 47%.
Projects targeted for reduction or cancellation include costly elements like the Orion capsule and SLS rocket (to be replaced by commercial systems), as well as numerous successful, on-schedule, or active science missions such as Mars Sample Return, the Roman Space Telescope, MAVEN, and Juno.
The proposal faces strong opposition from former NASA science leaders and members of Congress, who warn of jeopardized international partnerships, substantial job losses, and a setback in scientific exploration, with some lawmakers already securing funding for programs slated for cuts.
NASA is already experiencing a significant workforce reduction through buyouts, and internal directives suggest the agency is preparing "closeout" plans for targeted missions before congressional approval of the budget, indicating an intent to accelerate the proposed changes.

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The White House’s fiscal year 2026 budget request proposes a dramatic 24 percent cut to NASA’s funding, slashing it from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion—the largest single-year reduction in the agency’s history, per The Planetary Society.

The request takes aim at projects it describes as “grossly expensive and delayed.” But many programs in the crosshairs are hitting their cost and schedule targets. Some are actively exploring outer space.