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 proposal suggests a historic 24% cut to NASA's funding, shifting significant resources from science programs (facing a 47% reduction) towards human lunar and Mars exploration.
This re-prioritization targets projects like the Orion capsule and Space Launch System (SLS) for early cancellation after Artemis III, alongside numerous successful and on-schedule science missions and future investments.
The proposal has drawn strong opposition from former NASA officials and members of Congress, citing concerns over scientific research, international partnerships, job losses, and has already led to significant workforce reductions at NASA.

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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.