"Sky does not sparkle like diamonds"

"Sky does not sparkle like diamonds"

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A Shocking Shrinkage: The Future of NASA Under Trump's Proposed Budget

The Trump administration's budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year has stirred up a tempest, particularly as it concerns NASA. Here's a look at the potentially disruptive changes on the horizon.

Budgetary Bites: NASA Faces a Severe Slash

• The Chop: Hard and Deep - The proposed budget would lop off a whopping 24% from NASA's coffers, slashing it from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion. This hefty reduction, if implemented, would mark NASA's largest single-year cut ever.[1][5]
• Science Scrimping: Let's Get Lean - In the proposed plan, the science-centric funding would be halved, dwindling to a mere $3.9 billion[1][3].

Mars Missed Connection? The Fate of the Mars Sample Return Mission

• The Great Divide: A Split Decision - The Mars Sample Return mission, designed to retrieve Martian samples for analysis, is on the chopping block.[3] This decision spells trouble for Mars exploration.

Artemis: A Program in Peril?

• A Phased Departure: Adiós to Key Artemis Components - The budget proposal eyes the gradual cancellation of essential Artemis components, including the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the Orion crew capsule, and the Lunar Gateway.[4]
• Rough Seas Ahead: Timeline Turmoil - Transitioning to commercial alternatives might cause delays within the Artemis program's timeline, potentially giving China an opening in lunar exploration.[4]

Tomorrow's Voyages: A Look Ahead

There are several factors to consider as we peer into the future:

1. Science Slip-ups: Delayed Discoveries? - The cancellation of missions like the Mars Sample Return could impede the progress of scientific research into Mars and other celestial bodies.
2. The Private Takeover: NASA's New Partners - The reliance on commercial alternatives for lunar missions could expedite the growth of private space capabilities, but it might also threaten to diminish NASA's preeminence in space exploration.[4][5]
3. A New Power Struggle: Geopolitics in Space - Delays in NASA's lunar ambitions could allow other nations, like China, to strengthen their position in lunar exploration, potentially reshaping the geopolitical landscape of space exploration.[4][5]

Overall, these budget cuts could significantly alter NASA's ability to chase ambitious space exploration objectives, potentially reshaping the future of U.S. space activities.

Alexander Ermakov, Research Fellow at the Center for International Security, IMEMO RAN

[1] https://www.nasa.gov/budget[2] https://www.space.com/nasa-budget-2026-proposal.html[3] https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00059-7[4] https://www.wired.com/story/nasa-funding- proposal-trump-administration-2026/[5] https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/1/22947473/ nasa-trump-budget-cuts-space-funding

1. The proposed budget cuts could have a significant impact on the science industry, as NASA's decline in funding for scientific research, such as Mars exploration, might hinder future discoveries in space-and-astronomy.
2. The shift towards partnering with private companies for lunar missions, as a result of budget cuts, could lead to an expansion in the private sector's space capabilities, potentially influencing the financial aspects of space-and-astronomy by redefining NASA's role in the industry.

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