NASA is facing significant budget cuts under President Donald Trump’s proposal, which could lead to the phasing out of multibillion-dollar programs designed to ferry people to and from the moon.
The Trump administration has proposed a 24.3% reduction in NASA’s overall funding, down from $24.8 billion last year to $18.8 billion. This cut affects several high-profile programs, including the Space Launch System (SLS) and its Orion crew capsule.
The SLS is a super-heavy launch vehicle scheduled to carry crews to lunar orbit throughout the Artemis program, which aims to establish a permanent human presence on the moon by 2035. The Artemis program also includes plans for a permanent colony on the moon, with missions currently planned through 2035.
However, the proposed budget cuts could impact the success of these programs. Eliminating SLS and Orion would pave the way for more cost-effective commercial systems to support future lunar missions.
Commercial landers made by SpaceX and Blue Origin are planned for the journey from lunar orbit to the moon’s surface. While both companies have faced setbacks in their development, they may still play a role in NASA’s Artemis program.
NASA is expected to continue its Mars exploration efforts, with $350 million allocated to support crewed missions to Mars. The agency will also focus on investing in private space industry technologies to support future human spaceflight initiatives.
The budget cuts come at a time of upheaval for NASA, with the administration walking back its nomination of a tech billionaire to lead the agency due to concerns over his suitability for the role.
Source: https://www.al.com/news/huntsville/2025/06/trumps-budget-puts-huntsville-made-spacecraft-on-the-chopping-block.html