On Friday, President Donald Trump unveiled a budget proposal that would cut NASA’s funding by 25%, leading to
end of Houston-area programs
.
The
2026 budget request
Would assign approximately $18.6 billion to NASA, which is less than the $24.9 billion allocated in fiscal year 2024. For the 2026 budget, there will be significant reductions in scientific initiatives with an emphasis on human missions to the Moon and Mars—a top priority for both President Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. In March, Congress enacted a full-year continuing resolution without setting a specific 2025 budget for NASA; thus, the agency continues functioning under the 2024 funding level.
The emphasis on human spaceflight at the NASA Johnson Space Center isn’t expected to shield employees from these reductions, stated Casey Dreier, who leads space policy for the Planetary Society, an organization advocating for space exploration located in Pasadena, California.
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Dreier stated that Houston should be concerned,” he added. “This budget…it reflects a move away from space exploration systems developed by NASA, specifically those intended for human missions.
The International Space Station, which has its activities and tasks managed by groups based in Houston, faces a reduction in funding by approximately $500 million, effectively cutting about one-third of its projected operational costs. This decrease could lead to fewer astronauts residing at the facility and less scientific experimentation being carried out onboard.
The Orion spaceship, designed to bring people back to the moon and serve at the Gateway space station which will circle around it, both overseen from Houston, are now facing cuts. The Orion program would conclude following Artemis III, the NASA operation aimed at returning humans to the lunar surface, as the administration transitions to using a privately-developed vehicle instead. Meanwhile, plans for launching the Gateway are being scrapped altogether.
The budget proposal included a decrease of $1.1 billion in “mission support.” This cut was explained as resulting from efforts to streamline various aspects such as staffing levels, operational activities at NASA centers, and upkeep of facilities. Dreier noted that this aligns with an ongoing downsizing initiative within the agency. According to him, this proposed reduction might lead to a workforce shrinkage ranging between 25% to 30%.
NASA accounts for
approximately 20,000 positions in Texas
In the fiscal year 2023, which provided the latest available information, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent federal workers were employed at the Johnson Space Center. Additionally, around 17,359 positions related to NASA activities existed within Texas due to contractor roles.
Brian Freedman, who serves as the president of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, expressed significant worry over potential local employment reductions due to the International Space Station and Orion projects, both of which are major initiatives at the Johnson Space Center.
However, he mentioned that Houston could potentially secure part of the $1 billion in additional funds from the budget request aimed at supporting a Mars-centric initiative. This economic collaboration is teaming up with local congressional representatives and plans to send a delegation of Houston residents to Washington next month to highlight the significance of human space exploration.
Down the line, there could be additional chances for human spaceflight initiatives that align with the goals of the administration and Congress,” Freedman stated, “and we undoubtedly possess the necessary expertise here.
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Dreier stated that the suggested reductions would constitute the most significant cuts in NASA’s history. These occur as Trump, backed enthusiastically by Musk—who has donated at least $250 million to his campaign and heads the Department of Government Efficiency—aims to reduce the size of the federal government. Both Trump and Musk have shown keen interest in human missions to Mars.
Even though the budget provides additional funds for manned missions to the Moon and Mars, Dreier stated that the total reductions are unrealistic for sending humans to Mars.
“This isn’t a budget reflective of American dominance in space,” Dreier stated. “It’s a budget indicative of America stepping back from space exploration.”
NASA will produce a more comprehensive report outlining how this lean budget would be put into action. Congress must then approve it before the budget can take effect.
Dreier pointed out that a NASA Authorization Act in Congress might establish legislative priorities – focusing on setting the agency’s direction rather than funding – which the White House would be obligated to follow.
NASA issued a statement on Friday indicating that the budget “speeds up human expeditions to the Moon and Mars through a financially prudent series of missions.”
Janet Petro, the acting administrator of NASA, communicated with employees on Friday about ushering in a new chapter for the organization. She mentioned that the budget necessitates “difficult decisions,” emphasizing that the administration must avoid cost overruns and missed deadlines.
“This budget will instigate genuine transformation—not only for programs, but also for individuals,” Petro stated in the message, which was examined by the Houston Chronicle. “Certain initiatives will be phased out…. Maintaining the current state is off the table.”
The Mars Sample Return Program, aimed at retrieving the rock samples collected by NASA’s Perseverance rover on the Red Planet, is among those slated for cancellation under the proposed budget. This decision assumes that humans will instead bring back these specimens to Earth.
The Space Launch System rocket developed by NASA, responsible for propelling the Orion capsule into orbit, would also face termination. As a politically significant project, this rocket has exceeded its initial budget and fallen behind schedule, leading numerous individuals to advocate for NASA to utilize commercial rockets like those under development by SpaceX or Blue Origin instead. However, it has generated substantial employment opportunities, an aspect that traditionally enjoys backing within congressional circles.
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The suggested budget would likewise cut off financial support for what it refers to as “less critical climate observation satellites” and “socially oriented STEM programs and studies.”
The budget proposal employs significant wording when addressing missions to Mars, emphasizing the administration’s aim to “send a man to Mars.” However, it later mentions “landing the first human on Mars,” which might indicate a possible error.
Nevertheless, this terminology appears on the agency’s website.
recently removed its pledge
To place the first “female and woman of color” on the moon.
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