NASA is facing dramatic cuts to its science program next fiscal year—but advocates say they’re ready to fight for NASA’s space science missions.
It’s a lede we could have written in 2025, but which is also true in 2026. Once again, the Trump administration has proposed an $18.8B NASA budget that would make large cuts to science and STEM missions. And—once again—advocates and lawmakers are saying they won’t stand idly by while programs are gutted.
By the numbers: The budget would invest $3.89B in NASA’s science portfolio—representing a $3.4B cut to the directorate and the elimination of 40+ missions. That budget includes:
- $1.02B for Earth science;
- $1.88B for planetary science;
- $552.4M for astrophysics;
- $419.6M for heliophysics;
- $25M for biological and physical sciences.
Some programs cut include the Mars Sample Return mission, as well as the SERVIR program to work with organizations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to use geospatial data for studying climate change.
Some projects receiving funding include:
- $424M for the Dragonfly mission to explore Saturn’s moon, Titan;
- $213M to support JWST and Hubble;
- $13M to study the things that will make it possible to live and work off-Earth, such as growing crops in space and studying the physical effects of long-term spaceflight on astronauts;
- $5M for the Habitable Worlds Observatory “for a potential future flagship mission.”
The reaction: The Planetary Society—an advocacy group that organized others to lobby against the proposed science cuts for fiscal 2026—said it’s ready to rally the troops again.
“The president has stated his desire that NASA remain the world’s premier space agency. The White House’s budgeting office is out of step with this broad, bipartisan consensus,” the organization said in a statement. “The Planetary Society will once again amplify the voices of the public to ensure these draconian cuts are rejected by Congress as decisively as last year.”
The society already has supporters on Capitol Hill. Last month, 103 lawmakers representing both parties signed a letter urging $9B in NASA science funding in fiscal 2027—more than double what was proposed by the administration.
“The president’s new budget defunding American science and innovation is dead on arrival, just like last year,” Rep. George Whitesides (D-CA) said in a statement last week. “As NASA astronauts are literally on their way to the Moon, showcasing the tremendous power of American innovation that the president claims to support, the administration is actively trying to sabotage their mission and the dedicated team at NASA.”
Top Space Lawmaker on Moon Base, Artemis Plans
“What I have heard from colleagues is they’re really rallying behind the idea of going to the Moon,” he told Payload. “Once we establish a base there…that might be the best place to launch to Mars.”
Commerce Unveils One-Stop Licensing Proposal For Novel Space Missions
The plan is the latest step in the years-long saga surrounding mission authorization—or which agencies have regulatory authority over novel space missions that don’t fit into the existing framework.
How Congress Can Grow the Space Supply Chain
Demand in the space industry is skyrocketing—but the supply chain isn’t keeping up. Luckily, policymakers can speed things up, according to two leading industry groups.
Commercial Space Law Takes Center Stage at DC Moot Court
Future space lawyers will gather in DC this month to debate how far federal jurisdiction extends in regulating commercial megaconstellations.
Starfish Space has closed a $100M+ Series B as it works towards the launch of its first full Otter mission this year.
Point72 Ventures led the round, which was also co-led by Activate Capital and Shield Capital. The round also included participation from Industrious Ventures, NightDragon, and several existing investors in the company.
An-otter one: It’s been three years since Starfish raised its $14M Series A—and the company is in a significantly different place today. The company has hit several milestones since then, including:
Keep reading