Trump's NASA cuts: Threat to future space exploration
Is this the end of American science? The Trump administration plans cuts to NASA's science budget. The lack of funding will significantly impact the Space Agency, and the decisions of the US president will threaten future space missions.
The Trump administration intends to reduce NASA's budget by 20 per cent, which equates to a cut of over $5 (£4) billion from a total of $25 (£19) billion. These documents were prepared by the White House Office of Management and Budget, headed by Russell Vought, known for his sceptical views on science. The planned reductions will primarily impact the Science Mission Directorate, responsible for planetary research and astrophysics.
A budget reduced by even half: Is this a collapse of American science?
According to the Ars Technica portal, NASA's science budget is set to be reduced by up to 50 per cent by 2025. This year's funding stood at $7.5 (£6) billion, but documents shared with the space agency suggest that next year NASA can expect only $3.9 (£3) billion. Astrophysics will face the most significant cuts, as its budget is set to be decreased by over 60 per cent. The financial forecasts for research in heliophysics, planetary sciences, and Earth sciences also look grim.
The projects for financing the Hubble and James Webb telescopes will continue, but that is the extent of the positive news. The American administration does not intend to allocate financial resources to other telescopes, such as the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which was slated to explore cosmic realms within the next two years.
Space research will be limited, but people may lose their jobs instead
Ending funding for certain space missions is considered a bold move by the American agency. We may not uncover what is happening on Mars as we are bidding farewell to the Mars Sample Return mission. We won’t visit Venus either, as according to Donald Trump, the DAVINCI mission is deemed unnecessary. Additionally, the future of the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, where 10,000 people are employed, is now uncertain.
NASA has significantly contributed to science. Through numerous studies and missions, we explore space, scientists unravel the mysteries of black holes, and we learn how stars and entire galaxies were born. The American Space Agency has conducted many successful missions in recent years, including the landing of the Perseverance rover on Mars in 2021. Perseverance reached the Jezero Crater, where it collected samples to aid in the quest for traces of past life on the Red Planet.
Science policy experts argue that the decision of the American government will impact the state of American science severely. Next year's cuts have been described as an "extinction-level event" for NASA.
Where the budget is being cut, does Elon Musk benefit?
Musk is known for various reasons including controversial posts on platform X, producing popular electric cars that have recently experienced a dip in popularity, and serving as director of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in President Donald Trump's administration. This is a special governmental unit established in 2024, aimed at reducing bureaucracy, curbing federal spending, and increasing the efficiency of government agencies. Coincidentally, he also owns SpaceX, which plans to expand into space. Although the company has numerous contracts with NASA, in the long run, the financial cuts to NASA could also bring some benefits to SpaceX. Especially if the company manages to fill the gaps left by government programmes.
Setting the budget is a complex mechanism that concludes with the approval of the federal budget. The process has begun, and now NASA has three days to analyse the funding and appeal against the planned decisions. There remains six months to determine the total amount.
