Trump Administration Proposes Deep Cuts to NASA Science Programs

The draft FY2026 budget seeks to reduce NASA's Science Mission Directorate funding by nearly 50%, jeopardizing key missions and U.S. leadership in space exploration.

The draft FY2026 budget proposes slashing NASA's Science Mission Directorate funding from $7.3 billion to $3.9 billion, a nearly 50% reduction.
Major missions, including the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, Mars Sample Return, and the DAVINCI mission to Venus, face potential cancellation under the proposal.
Astrophysics funding would drop from $1.5 billion to $487 million, while Earth science and planetary science would also see significant reductions.
NASA has begun reviewing the passback budget and has a limited period to appeal before the administration submits the final proposal to Congress.
Lawmakers and experts warn the cuts could undermine U.S. scientific leadership and waste billions in investments, with bipartisan resistance expected in Congress.