NASA budget proposal draws strong criticism – SpaceNews
a year ago
- #Budget Cuts
- #Space Policy
- #NASA
- White House proposes a 25% cut to NASA's budget, reducing it to $18.8 billion for FY2026.
- Major programs like lunar Gateway, Space Launch System, Orion, and Mars Sample Return face cancellation.
- Criticism from Congress includes Rep. Grace Meng calling it the 'largest cut in American history'.
- Sen. Chris Van Hollen argues the budget favors SpaceX, risking U.S. leadership in space.
- Industry groups like the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration warn of jeopardizing lunar presence and U.S. leadership.
- Commercial Space Federation supports competitive partnerships but opposes cuts to science and ISS utilization.
- The Planetary Society criticizes the cuts as causing chaos and undermining U.S. space leadership.
- European Space Agency (ESA) and Canadian Space Agency express concerns over impacts on joint programs.
- ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher states ESA is assessing impacts and exploring alternatives.
- Canadian Space Agency is reviewing implications but aims to maintain momentum for its space program.