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President Trump’s 2026 budget proposal seeks to cut NASA funding by $6 billion, representing nearly a quarter of its overall budget. This has left former NASA head Bill Nelson ‘deeply’ concerned as key missions to the Moon and Mars risk being eliminated.
Nelson, a former Democratic senator and space shuttle astronaut who served as NASA’s 14th administrator, expressed his dismay, saying, ‘A lot of things I deeply care about and worked hard on are getting cut.’
The cuts would dismantle NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion crew capsule following their third Artemis mission in 2027, halting future lunar expeditions despite extensive investments and billions already spent.
All sectors of NASA are facing reductions, with major science programs suffering a severe 50 percent cut. This threatens the work of thousands of researchers and raises concerns about the U.S.’s ability to compete with China’s growing space capabilities.
Additionally, the Mars Sample Return mission would be canceled. The White House labels it ‘grossly over budget’ and believes its objectives could be achieved through future human Mars missions. The White House also notes that samples from MSR wouldn’t be retrieved until the 2030s.
NASA’s Artemis program, which is its most ambitious attempt to return humans to the Moon and eventually to Mars, would be severely impacted just as it is building momentum.
One exception is a $1 billion boost for Mars-focused human exploration efforts.
Bill Nelson served as the 14th administrator of NASA and is a former Democratic U.S. senator from Florida. He also flew aboard the space shuttle during its 24th mission in January 1986. He shares his concerns with Daily Mail about ‘NASA’s shrinking’
President Trump’s 2026 budget proposal calls for a $6 billion cut to NASA –– nearly a quarter of its current funding — and moves to cancel parts of critical missions including its Moon rocket and flagship Mars program
Drawing on his experience in both politics and spaceflight, Nelson has remained a notable voice in discussions about the future of U.S. space policy and exploration efforts
Drawing on his experience in both politics and spaceflight, Nelson has remained a notable voice in discussions about the future of U.S. space policy and exploration efforts.
Nelson tells Daily Mail that by cutting efforts to return to the Moon and to pursue Mars missions—both international priorities—the proposal undermines NASA’s future.
He argues that the cuts threaten efforts he carefully advanced during his tenure.
Not only cuts to programs, but also, staff.
‘All this uncertainty is going on while people at NASA have been encouraged to retire, one round in June, another round happening now, and as many as I believe 3,500 that were retired with incentives of three months ‘pay to take retirement,’ Nelson said.
Adding, ‘Those people don’t go to work by the way, they are just paid.’
NASA sources say these changes had nothing to do with DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency, a department formerly led by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk –– clarifying that it was a direct incentives program from the administration.
Trump–appointed Secretary Sean Duffy’s dual appointment places him at the helm of both NASA and the Department of Transportation
The Artemis program is NASA’s largest effort to return humans to the Moon and eventually send astronauts to Mars
‘These are the experienced people who are in leadership on many of these high–risk programs, such as space–tech, lunar programs, and space science,’ Nelson said.
Nelson expressed concern to the Daily Mail over the departure of experienced personnel at NASA, warning that such losses could pose serious risks to the agency’s operations.
‘Everything is so high–risk at NASA, you just can’t afford to have any mistakes because the consequences are so dire. Because of mistakes, we lost 17 astronauts on missions already,’ he added.
Nearly every area of NASA would see cuts, including a nearly 50 percent cut to major science programs that support thousands of researchers worldwide – raising concerns about America’s future in space
Trump–appointed Secretary Sean Duffy’s dual role places him at the helm of both NASA and the Department of Transportation – an unconventional leadership pairing but also one that aligns with the Trump administration’s streamlined approach.
At the Department of Transportation, Duffy has already pushed for significant changes like streamlining operations at the FAA, relocating their staff and modernizing systems, as well as trying to recruit more air–traffic controllers and signing an executive order to boost the commercial space sector by easing regulations.
Duff’s priority has been focusing NASA towards human exploration on other planets.
Last month, Duffy announced a plan to fast–track a 100–kilowatt nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030 – to power future lunar bases and stay ahead of China in the space race.
Nelson tells Daily Mail that by cutting efforts to return to the Moon and to pursue Mars missions—both international priorities—the proposal undermines NASA’s future. He argues that the cuts threaten efforts he carefully advanced during his tenure
Nelson says he hopes Duffy can become a stabilizing force for NASA, but mentions a problem he says is too obvious.
‘How can he do both jobs?’
The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House and the Department of Transportation for comment.
