Proposed NASA budget focuses on Mars
Share and Follow


() President Donald Trump’s proposed budget makes big cuts to NASA’s funding, reducing major programs while boosting efforts to put a human on Mars.

Trump pledged to “put a flag on Mars” during an address to Congress, emphasizing a need to beat China in returning humans to the Moon and reaching the red planet with a crewed space flight.

Under Trump’s proposal, NASA’s budget would be cut by $6 billion in what the nonprofit Planetary Society says is the biggest single-year cut for the agency in history.

Under the budget, human space programs are boosted, with more than $7 billion allocated for lunar missions and $1 billion allocated for new investments in efforts to get people to Mars.

The two goals go hand-in-hand, with a lunar presence viewed as a critical jumping-off point for crewed exploration deeper in space.

To allow for the new expense, the agency would see big cuts to space science and Earth science programs. That includes eliminating an effort dedicated to getting samples from the Mars rover back to Earth in partnership with the European Space Agency and cutting plans for a lunar-orbiting space station.

Mission support would also get hit by cuts, including employee headcount reduction and money for maintenance, construction and environmental compliance.

That comes after a report from the National Academies called for a funding increase to update the agency’s infrastructure.

The Artemis program, which aims to put humans back on the moon, would cut the Space Launch System and Orion capsule after Artemis III lands astronauts on the moon. That would mean retiring those systems after just three flights.

Along with those cuts, the budget calls for increased commercial partnerships and offloading certain functions to the private sector. NASA’s commercial crew program has worked with companies including Boeing and Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which take in significant revenue from government contracts.

The budget would also cut NASA’s sustainable aviation program, continue to eliminate DEI programs and get rid of funding for climate-monitoring satellites.

It would also reduce NASA investment in the International Space Station.

It also marks Trump’s second attempt to cut STEM education programs run by NASA, which the proposal deems “woke.” The programs are designed to help increase the pipeline for STEM workers and encourage interest in STEM fields.

Trump attempted to eliminate those funds in his first term, and President Barack Obama also tried to cut funds from the program. In both cases, Congress overruled the president and restored the funding.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
'We do not support this': Fruit Cove neighbors protest Daily's gas station proposal

Fruit Cove Residents Rally Against Proposed Daily’s Gas Station: Community Voices Concerns

Residents of Fruit Cove are raising concerns over a proposed Daily’s gas…
Michael Kay calls out Pat McAfee's criticism of sports journalists

Michael Kay Responds to Pat McAfee’s Remarks on Sports Journalism

During his radio show, Michael Kay responded to Pat McAfee’s recent remarks…
State Department issues a travel advisory for Caribbean destination due to 'risk of crime'

Urgent Travel Alert: State Department Warns of Increased Crime Risk in Popular Caribbean Paradise

The U.S. State Department has recently elevated its travel advisory for Grenada,…
Federal agents deploy tear gas, rubber bullets on protesters outside Minneapolis federal building

Federal Agents Clash with Minneapolis Protesters Using Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets: A Tense Showdown

Tensions escalated outside a federal building in Minneapolis on Monday as federal…
Dilbert creator 'has DAYS to live' as ex-wife shares health update

Urgent Health Update: ‘Dilbert’ Creator Scott Adams Faces Critical Prognosis, Ex-Wife Reveals

Scott Adams, the renowned creator of the Dilbert comic strip, is facing…
Ron DeSantis' wife Casey mercilessly mocked for fashion faux pas

Casey DeSantis Faces Fashion Criticism as Social Media Reacts to Wardrobe Blunder

While imitation is often considered the sincerest form of flattery, Florida’s first…
Afghan illegal immigrant who stabbed sister for being 'bad Muslim girl' arrested by ICE agents in New York

ICE Agents Detain Afghan Immigrant in NYC: Stabbing Incident Sparks Cultural and Legal Debate

An Afghan national with a prior conviction for attempting to murder his…
Lawyers say DC pipe bomb suspect Brian Cole Jr deserves a Jan 6 pardon

Legal Team Advocates for January 6 Pardon of DC Pipe Bomb Suspect Brian Cole Jr

Attorneys representing Brian J. Cole Jr., the suspect in the DC pipe…