NASA budget cuts – Battle Point Astronomical Association

NASA budget cuts

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August 3 2025

Congress’s NASA and NSF Budgets Counter Trump, Fund Science

Congress’s initial 2026 budget drafts for NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF) reflect a significant departure from the Trump administration’s proposed deep cuts, aiming instead to maintain NASA science funding near current levels and substantially reduce the proposed NSF cuts. The Senate draft keeps NASA science funding around $7.3 billion, countering a requested 47% cut, while the House draft suggests a 19% reduction. For NSF, the Senate proposes $9 billion, avoiding major cuts, whereas the House suggests a 23% decrease. These budget plans, part of the larger Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, offer cautious optimism to the scientific community despite ongoing uncertainties and inflationary pressures.

May 2 2025

NASA’s Space Science Budget: Major Cuts Loom Large

The recent draft budget from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) indicates significant cuts to NASA’s space science budget, potentially affecting major projects like the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, the DAVINCI mission to Venus, and the Mars Sample Return mission. The American Astronomical Society expressed grave concerns about a nearly 50% reduction in funding for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, warning it could severely impact the nation’s leadership in space sciences.