WASHINGTON — The White House is once again proposing significant budget cuts for NASA. This could greatly impact the agency’s science programs and the International Space Station’s operations.
On April 3, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) revealed its budget proposal for fiscal year 2027, suggesting $18.8 billion for NASA. This is a 23% drop from the amount allocated in fiscal year 2026.
This year’s proposal mirrors last year’s request, which also sought $18.8 billion. That budget was nearly 25% less than what NASA received the previous year.
While the OMB’s summary lacks many specifics, it indicates major cuts to science funding—about $3.4 billion, or 47%. The OMB justifies these cuts by stating they aim to make NASA’s science program more focused and responsible. For instance, it mentions terminating costly projects like the Mars Sample Return, which could cost as much as $11 billion and was not funded by Congress in 2026, and the $10 million SERVIR program that shares Earth science data.
NASA officials recently hinted at pausing support for some extended missions. These are projects that have achieved their primary objectives but are still operational. The budget also includes a cut of $1.1 billion for International Space Station operations, which cost about $3 billion in 2025. The OMB asserts that this funding is excessive given the ISS’s expected retirement, but it emphasizes investment in future commercial successors.
Additionally, the proposal seeks to cut $297 million from space technology programs, nearly a third of last year’s budget. Funding will prioritize technologies for lunar exploration while eliminating what the OMB calls “frivolous” projects related to in-space sustainability. NASA’s education programs, known as STEM Engagement and funded at $143 million in 2026, may also be eliminated again.
Interestingly, exploration programs might see a 10% boost, raising their budget to $8.5 billion. This allocation aims to fully support various Artemis initiatives, including $175 million for new robotic missions intended to help establish a lunar base. The White House plans to ask Congress to repurpose $2.6 billion initially set aside for the lunar Gateway toward the lunar base project.
Previous budget proposals have indicated that Congress was preparing for these cuts. Jamie Wise, from the House Appropriations Committee, recently remarked that the fiscal year 2027 budget is likely to reflect the cuts from 2026.
Significantly, more than 100 members of Congress recently signed a letter advocating for increased NASA science funding. They requested $9 billion for science in 2027, marking a 25% increase from 2026. Additionally, they urged appropriators to counter the OMB’s proposal, citing inflationary pressures affecting the aerospace industry.
This ongoing discussion about NASA’s budget not only influences the space industry but also highlights the delicate balance between funding priorities and budget constraints. As Congress tackles the budget, the future of space exploration hangs in the balance.
For more details, you can review the OMB’s budget proposal [here](https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/budget_fy2027.pdf).
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