According to a report by Reuters, US President Donald Trump's budget proposal seeks to slash key components of NASA's lunar program, cutting US$6 billion from its 2026 budget while bolstering support for SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's Mars exploration initiatives.
The proposal, unveiled on Friday, outlines the cancellation of NASA's over-budget space launch system—a massive rocket developed by Boeing and Northrop Grumman Corporation. The rocket was intended to carry the Orion crew capsule, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, for a third mission under the Artemis program in 2027.
The proposed budget would reduce NASA's current US$24.8 billion funding by 24%, potentially jeopardizing major scientific programs that involve thousands of researchers worldwide.
Almost all NASA divisions face significant cuts, except for human exploration programs, with US$1 billion allocated specifically for "Mars-focused initiatives." This indicates a major shift in the Artemis program, favoring SpaceX's vision of sending humans to Mars.
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