Impending NASA Budget Cuts: How Dozens of Science Missions Face Cancellation and Thousands Could Lose Their Jobs

NASA recently shared details about its proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, and it’s quite a shift. The budget is set at $18.8 billion, a significant drop from nearly $24.9 billion in 2025. This reduction would take NASA’s funding back to levels we haven’t seen since 1961, adjusted for inflation.

With budget cuts come job losses. NASA projects a cut in its workforce from 17,391 civil servants in 2025 to just 11,853 by 2026—about a one-third reduction.

The budget outlines drastic cuts to NASA’s science programs. Proposed funding for science is $3.9 billion, down 47% from the previous year. This means the cancellation of over 40 science missions. Projects like the Mars Sample Return and Landsat Next are among those being phased out. Casey Dreier from The Planetary Society noted the cancellations, emphasizing the impact on ongoing research and development.

In terms of Earth science, many missions recommended by experts have been scrapped, except for a few key projects like GRACE-Continuity, which monitors gravitational changes. Notably, the budget also plans to cut funding for significant missions studying Mars and the outer solar system, including MAVEN and Juno.

On the flip side, the budget proposes new initiatives focused on lunar and Mars exploration. This includes an $864 million plan for commercial systems that could replace existing missions and fund new technology, like space suits for astronauts on Mars. There’s also over $1 billion earmarked for human Mars exploration, indicating a push into new frontiers even amid significant cuts.

User reactions have been strong, especially from concerned scientists and industry leaders. Dreier mentions a growing worry about the cutbacks, highlighting that even some Republicans in Congress might resist these changes. Eric Fanning from the Aerospace Industries Association expressed disappointment, urging for a higher budget, around $25.6 billion, to maintain America’s leadership in space.

This proposed budget underscores a critical juncture for NASA. As the agency trims its science programs, it also aims at new exploration efforts, reflecting a broader shift in priorities. How this will affect future space missions and scientific progress remains to be seen.

Source link

NASA,NASA budget