Nasa’s Rumored 50% Budget Cuts Likely to Kill Many Key Missions; Elon Musk Calls It ‘Troubling’ – ryan

Nasa is likely to undergo massive budget cuts that could kill its important science missions. While it was considered a rumor until a few weeks ago, the ‘passback’ documents recently reported by US media suggest the budget cuts are inevitable.

According to Ars Technica, the Trump Administration is Eyeing 20% ​​Cut from Nasa‘s overall budget or $ 25 billion. But the Agency’s Science Mission Directorate, which oversees major science programs and missions, could undergo 50% reduction for the next fiscal year; This could shut down many present and future missions. It includes the Nancy Roman Grace Telescope which is targeted for launch in 2026 to uncover the dark universe.

Elon Musk said reports that Trump Administration’s Budget Proposal would drastically cut nasa’s science funding were “Troubling,” the latest public break between the president and his close adviser, politico reported. The SpaceX CEO replied to a report from Technology News Outlet… pic.twitter.com/w13zdsv5u8
– Global Times (@globaltimesNews) April 12, 2025

The ‘Passback’ documents suggest that Trump Administration has proposed cutting down astrophysics funding to $ 487 million, heliophysics to $ 455 million (a 50% cut), Earth science to $ 1.03 billion (Over 50% cut) and planetary science to $ 1.9 Billion (30% cut). These funds will be disbursed from the $ 3.9 billion budget proposed by the government, down from $ 7.5 billion for the fiscal year 2025. The budget request is expected to release in four to six weeks.

“For weeks we have been raising the alarm about a rumored 50 percent cut to nasa’s world-leading science efforts. Now we know it’s true,” George Whitesides, US rep. of the 27th District of Columbia Told Ars Technica. Whitesides vowed to oppose the proposal in congress.

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The Budget Cuts Could Also Affect Nasa’s Mars Sample Return Program which aims to bring Martian rocks to earth for inspection next decade. The Venus-Bound Divinci Mission, targeted for launch in 2030, is also likely to be canceled.

Thankfully, the proposal does not recommend shutting down operations of the hubble telescope and the James Webb Space Telescopewhich are functioning as Nasa’s Eyes to Interstellar Space.

Apart from the Government Officials and Industry Experts, SpaceX CEO Elon musk Has also expressed concerns about the budget cuts. “Troubling. I am very much in favor of science, but unfortunally cannot participate in Nasa budget discussions, due to spacex being a major contractor to nasa,” Musk wrote in a post on X.

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