President Trump Just Cut the Budget on Boeing's and Lockheed's Most Important Space Program

President Donald Trump's proposed 2026 budget includes a significant $6 billion cut to NASA's funding, representing a 24% reduction from its current $24.8 billion budget. This move directly impacts major space programs developed by Boeing and Lockheed Martin, notably the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion crew capsule, both central to NASA's Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the Moon.

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The SLS, primarily built by Boeing and Northrop Grumman, has faced criticism for being over budget and delayed, with development costs reaching approximately $23 billion since 2010 and each launch estimated at $4 billion.

Similarly, the Orion capsule, developed by Lockheed Martin, is slated for cancellation after its third mission in 2027. These cuts are part of a broader shift in focus towards more cost-effective, commercially developed systems, particularly those targeting .

The budget proposal reallocates funds to support commercial ventures, notably SpaceX's Starship program, aligning with the administration's emphasis on Mars missions. This pivot has raised concerns among international partners involved in the Artemis program, such as the European Space Agency, Canada, and Japan, as well as among lawmakers and industry stakeholders who warn that these cuts could undermine U.S. leadership in space exploration and impact thousands of jobs tied to these budget proposal reallocates funds to support commercial ventures, notably SpaceX's Starship program, aligning with the administration's emphasis on Mars missions. This pivot has raised concerns among international partners involved in the Artemis program, such as the European Space Agency, Canada, and Japan, as well as among lawmakers and industry stakeholders who warn that these cuts could undermine U.S. leadership in space exploration and impact thousands of jobs tied to these programs.