Trump proposes steep cut to NASA budget as astronauts head for the Moon

Trump is proposing a steep cut to NASA's budget at the exact moment astronauts head for the Moon, a contradiction that threatens to undermine the Artemis program before its most critical phase. The proposed reduction of 15% ($3.2 billion) from the current $24 billion budget would delay the Artemis III lunar landing by at least 2 years, according to NASA's internal estimates. This cut is 40% deeper than the average executive budget request for space programs in the last decade, reflecting an unusually aggressive stance. In comparison to #2, which proceeds smoothly with minor glitches, this budget proposal introduces the biggest risk to Artemis's timeline since its inception. The proposal also slashes science missions by $1.1 billion, harming research that outperforms #1 in long-term scientific return, yet lawmakers are pushing back with a bipartisan counterproposal.