NASA is bracing for its biggest-ever cuts under Donald Trump’s proposed budget. The agency’s funding would drop from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion, a reduction of 23% and the lowest level in several decades when adjusted for inflation.
The White House published the preliminary budget in early May, which outlined drastic cuts in NASA’s scientific work. If the full version of the budget is approved, over 40 science missions would be cancelled, according to agency officials.
This downturn affects a wide range of areas, from space exploration to the study of the Earth’s climate and natural resources. The reduced funding would also lead to layoffs and furloughs among NASA employees.
As a result, many scientists are worried about the impact on ongoing projects and research. Some are already expressing concern that the cuts could hinder progress in key areas, such as Alzheimer’s disease research and decoding ancient Roman scrolls.
Source: https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/06/04/a-leaderless-nasa-faces-its-biggest-ever-cuts