The US administration proposes to reduce NASA's money by almost a quarter in fiscal year 2026, according to the draft federal budget for the next fiscal year, distributed by the White House.
The government wants the US Congress to allocate $18.8 billion for NASA's work next year. Meanwhile, in fiscal year 2025, the White House notes, $24.8 billion has been allocated for these purposes. Thus, the report says, this is a 24.3% reduction in NASA's budget.
It is proposed to cut almost all major areas of NASA's work, including the International Space Station, whose funding would be cut by $508 million, as well as several scientific projects not related to manned space exploration. Among them is a project to collect and return samples of Martian rocks to Earth. At the same time, the total cost of manned space programs is planned to increase by $ 647 million.
The White House emphasizes that its goal is “to return to the Moon before China and land people on Mars“.
The United States would welcome cooperation with international partners to expand the study of the solar system, said Bethany Stevens, head of the NASA press service, on the prospects for cooperation between the United States and Russia in space after the decommissioning of the ISS, preparations for which should begin by 2030.
To reduce costs, NASA expects to decommission the super-heavy Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft after the completion of the third stage of the American Artemis lunar program. They are expected to be replaced by “more cost-effective next-generation commercial systems“. The document states that NASA expects to “invite international partners” for engaging in "constructive cooperation" in the exploration of the Moon and Mars.