NASA: NASA allocated budget proposal cuts to $18.8 billion; Trump administration’s decision affects agency decisions
Depth cuts in space science and technology
NASA's broader portfolio of scientific works will experience substantial reductions, while the Moon and Mars programs become increasingly prominent, according to a report in the New York Times. The planned budget will reportedly cancel the Mars sample return mission and reshape Landsat's next plan.
Meanwhile, the New York Times report said that the investment portfolio of space technology will be cut in half, and unsuccessful space propulsion projects will be rejected.
Under the proposal affects climate science, NASA's aviation research on reducing greenhouse gas emissions will end. After Artemis III, it will retire, and will retire to cheaper commercial systems after the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion Capsules.
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Risk international partnerships
The proposal also cancels small lunar space stations that are partnering with Europe, Japan, Canada and the UAE. This could also endanger international agreements and reduce global cooperation in future lunar missions.
Meanwhile, NASA administrator nominee Jared Isaacman expressed support for commercial solutions, but stressed the importance of maintaining international partnerships.
Cut the ISS and education
The International Space Station (ISS) will have fewer operations, lower crew members and less research. The budget suggests that ISS be phased out until 2030, focusing on commercial space stations. NASA's STEM participation program, including space grants and EPSCOR, will be phased out, and the budget is used to criticize them as “wake-up” and “non-productive” and Congress objected in previous administrations.
Worries about the U.S. leadership in space
Experts reportedly warned that the budget would undermine the U.S. leadership in international space. Casey Dreier of the Planetary Society called it the largest single-year cut in U.S. history and accused it of reflecting a abandonment of scientific leadership and global cooperation.
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FAQ
1. Why is NASA's budget lowered?
The Trump administration believes that prioritizing human exploration of Mars and the moon is a better allocation of resources, although critics warn that this is at the expense of scientific research and global cooperation.
2. What will be the plans for Artemis and ISS?
Before switching to commercial systems, the Artemis program could only last until Artemis III. ISS operations will be minimized and retired by 2030 and replaced by commercial radio stations.
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