Trump Aims to Cut \$6 Billion from NASA Budget, Shift \$1 Billion Toward Mars Mission

# **Trump Aims to Cut \$6 Billion from NASA Budget, Shift \$1 Billion Toward Mars Missions**

**Tech & Politics Desk | May 3, 2025**

In a move that’s sparking both support and backlash across the scientific and political spectrum, former President Donald Trump—who is campaigning for a second term in 2024—has proposed cutting **\$6 billion** from NASA’s overall budget while redirecting **\$1 billion** specifically to **Mars-focused missions**.

The proposal, outlined in a recent policy paper from the Trump campaign, reaffirms the former president’s interest in bold space exploration goals but reignites concerns among scientists and policy analysts about how such funding shifts would impact Earth science, climate monitoring, and other space programs.

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## A “Back to Mars” Agenda

During his first term, President Trump championed the Artemis program, which aimed to return Americans to the Moon and establish a long-term presence there. While Artemis received considerable support, it was often criticized for ambitious deadlines and inconsistent funding.

Now, Trump is pivoting his focus beyond the Moon.

“**The Moon is a stepping stone, not a destination,**” Trump said during a campaign event in Houston last week. “We should be looking at Mars—boldly, quickly, and with American leadership leading the way.”

Under the proposal, the redirected **\$1 billion** would accelerate robotic Mars exploration, fund new contracts with private companies like **SpaceX** and **Blue Origin**, and support the early design phase of a potential **crewed Mars mission** within the next two decades.

According to the campaign, the funds would support expanded testing of life-support systems, in-orbit propulsion technologies, and long-duration habitat modules that could be used for Mars transit and surface exploration.

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## Where the Cuts Would Hit

While \$1 billion would go to Mars exploration, the remaining **\$5 billion in cuts** are set to be drawn from several NASA programs that the Trump campaign characterizes as “low priority,” including:

* **Earth Science Missions**, including climate observation satellites

* **International Collaborations**, such as ESA-funded telescopes and research initiatives

* **STEM Outreach and Educational Programs**

* **Some elements of the Artemis Moon Program**, including the planned Lunar Gateway

Critics argue that these cuts would not only slow critical research into climate change but also diminish NASA’s long-standing leadership in global scientific collaboration.

“Slashing Earth science in the name of Martian glory is a false choice,” said **Dr. Elaine Howell**, a senior analyst at the American Institute of Space Studies. “We can—and should—explore the solar system without turning our back on the planet we live on.”

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## Private Sector Gets a Boost

Notably, the proposal aligns with Trump’s broader preference for **public-private partnerships** in space. During his presidency, he backed significant NASA cooperation with **SpaceX**, which has since become the lead partner in the agency’s commercial crew program and lunar lander development.

Sources close to the campaign say companies like **SpaceX**, **Blue Origin**, and **Lockheed Martin** would be the top contenders for Mars-related contracts if the budget reallocation proceeds.

“Elon Musk wants to go to Mars. We’re going to help him get there,” Trump said at the Houston rally.

Musk himself responded positively on social media, posting:

> “This is the kind of bold thinking we need. Mars is the future.”

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## Reaction from the Scientific Community

Reactions have been mixed, though largely critical among scientists and researchers. Many say that while Mars exploration is a worthwhile goal, the approach Trump proposes could come at the expense of equally critical research—particularly regarding **climate change**, **space weather**, and **planetary defense**.

Others caution that cutting existing programs midstream could lead to project cancellations and years