Overview

• President Trump officially withdrew Jared Isaacman’s nomination on May 31 after reviewing his prior associations, including past donations to Democratic candidates.
• The administration’s FY2026 proposal would slash NASA’s budget from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion, its lowest real-term funding level since 1961.
• Major science and exploration programs—such as the Mars Sample Return mission, the Lunar Gateway station, SLS rocket and Orion capsule beyond Artemis III—are set for termination alongside a planned one-third workforce reduction.
• Space advocacy groups like The Planetary Society and lawmakers from both parties have warned that these cuts could undermine U.S. leadership in critical research and planetary missions.
• Former Air Force Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast, known for his support of militarization in orbit and commercial partnerships, is poised to become the next NASA administrator under the ’America First’ space strategy.