By now, you’ve likely heard about the drastic cuts to scientific funding proposed by the Trump administration. Recently, the focus has shifted to the NASA science program, which has been instrumental in groundbreaking missions, such as the New Horizons mission that explored Pluto and the discovery of thousands of exoplanets—distant worlds beyond our solar system.
On May 30, 2025, NASA unveiled details of its new budget, revealing which missions would face cancellation. According to SpaceNews.com, the agency outlined its proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, indicating new investments in exploration while simultaneously planning to cancel dozens of important scientific missions and cut thousands of jobs. These documents provide deeper insight into the proposed budget than what was initially disclosed by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) four weeks prior.
The proposed top-level budget of $18.8 billion marks a staggering cut of approximately 24% from the nearly $24.9 billion NASA received in fiscal year 2025. This represents the most severe year-over-year reduction for the agency since 1961 when adjusted for inflation. These budget cuts are not just numbers; they translate directly into significant job losses at NASA. The budget documents indicate a reduction of the workforce from 17,391 direct-funded civil servants in fiscal year 2025 to just 11,853 in fiscal year 2026—an alarming cut of about one-third.
In total, the proposed budget reflects a $6 billion cut to NASA, amounting to a 24% reduction from the previous year. However, it is the field of planetary science that is poised to suffer even more substantial setbacks.
The Planetary Society has taken action by sponsoring a petition that individuals around the globe can sign. The petition underscores the gravity of the situation, stating that the White House’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2026 proposes a shocking 47% cut in funding for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. This reduction threatens to ground numerous productive spacecraft, delay or cancel vital development projects, and severely limit opportunities for aspiring scientists and engineers.
For those who care about the future of space exploration and research, there are ways to make your voice heard. U.S. citizens can contact their congressional representatives to express their concerns about the proposed cuts. Additionally, anyone around the world can add their name to the Planetary Society’s petition. It’s important to remember that these proposed budget cuts are not yet finalized; Congress must approve the budget, providing a window of opportunity for advocacy.
If you wish to support NASA and its vital missions, here are steps you can take:
Contact your representatives in the House of Representatives. Find your senators and express your thoughts on the proposed budget cuts. Visit the U.S. Congress page to look up your representatives and share your concerns. Sign the petition by the Planetary Society to show your support for space science.Numerous NASA missions are at risk due to the proposed budget cuts. Here are a few notable missions potentially facing elimination:
OSIRIS-APEX mission, which is set to explore asteroid Apophis. New Horizons mission, known for its discoveries in the Kuiper Belt. Juno mission, which has captured unprecedented volcanic activity on Jupiter’s moon, Io.The implications of these proposed NASA and NSF cuts are profound. They remind us of the destruction of cultural heritage seen when ISIS targeted the monuments of Palmyra. These scientific endeavors not only pay for themselves but also generate several dollars in returns for every dollar invested. The potential loss of these programs could stifle innovation, hinder the development of startups, and diminish the United States’ global influence in science and technology.
