A new crew is set to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) in late July or early August, despite uncertainty surrounding NASA’s leadership. The mission will include two American astronauts, one Japanese astronaut, and a Russian cosmonaut, all of whom will board a SpaceX rocket.
The launch comes as NASA faces significant challenges, including a lack of a permanent administrator and budget cuts that could impact future missions to the Moon and Mars. President Donald Trump recently appointed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as interim leader for NASA, following the departure of Administrator Bill Nelson.
However, NASA’s relationship with its private partners is also under scrutiny, particularly with SpaceX founder Elon Musk. In recent days, Musk had threatened to pull his company from ISS crew rotation missions, citing tensions with President Trump. But NASA spokesperson Bill Spetch said that these plans were “walking back” and that the partnership would continue.
The new crew’s mission is expected to be critical in preparing for future commercial endeavors in low-Earth orbit. Meanwhile, NASA’s budget is set to face significant cuts under President Trump’s 2026 budget, including a 25% reduction of $6 billion and potential layoffs affecting up to 5,000 people.
As the ISS prepares to mark 25 years of continuous human presence by fall this year, concerns remain about the impact of these cuts on future missions. The station is expected to be deorbited in 2030.
Source: https://www.fox13now.com/science-and-tech/space/nasa-shares-details-for-its-next-space-station-crew-as-its-budget-and-staffing-face-new-cuts