Trump Proposes 23 Percent Cut to NASA Budget as Artemis II Astronauts Head for the Moon

President Trump released a budget blueprint calling for a 23 percent cut to NASA's budget — just two days after the agency launched four astronauts on the first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years.

Key Cuts

What's Still Funded

Despite the cuts, the budget proposal supports:

• Artemis program through Artemis V — mandated by Congress
• SLS rocket — at least a few more launches before switching to commercial alternatives
• Lunar resource prospecting — commercial rocket propellant from Moon's surface
• Commercial ISS replacement — small increase for commercial space stations

NASA Administrator Isaacman's Vision

The budget reflects new administrator Jared Isaacman's priorities:

1. Shift from SLS to commercial — procure SpaceX Starship or Blue Origin New Glenn for crew launches after Artemis V
2. Deep space nuclear propulsion — new technology for interplanetary travel
3. Nuclear reactors on the Moon — surface power infrastructure
4. Lunar resource utilization — ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization)

Likely Outcome

Congress will almost certainly reject the proposal, just as it did last year:

• The Republican-led Congress resoundingly rejected a similar cut in 2026
• NASA's budget was kept close to Biden-era levels
• Key lawmakers (including Sen. Ted Cruz) support extending ISS to 2032, contradicting the White House

Timing Irony

The proposed cuts come as Artemis II astronauts are currently en route to the Moon — a moment of historic achievement for the very program the budget would constrain.