Core Points - The U.S. government proposed a significant budget cut for NASA, reducing its budget from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion for the fiscal year 2026, representing a nearly 25% decrease [1][2] - This budget reduction is the largest single-year cut in NASA's history, with adjusted funding levels reaching the lowest since 1961 [2] Budget Impact - NASA's science program funding will be severely impacted, facing a 47% cut to $3.9 billion, which will lead to the cancellation of numerous important projects [3][5] - The proposed budget aims to cancel 41 scientific projects, which constitutes one-third of NASA's total science projects, with potential reconstruction costs in the billions [5] Project Cancellations - Key projects affected include: - Mars Sample Return - New Horizons - Juno - Mars Odyssey and MAVEN - The European Space Agency's Rosalind Franklin Mars rover project - Lunar Gateway space station [5][6] Workforce Reduction - The budget cuts will result in a significant workforce reduction, with plans to decrease NASA's staff from 17,391 to 11,853, a reduction of approximately 32% [6] - The Office of STEM Engagement will also be eliminated, further impacting NASA's operational capabilities [6] New Initiatives - In response to the budget cuts, the government plans to establish a new "Commercial Moon to Mars Infrastructure and Transportation Program," allocating $864 million for this initiative in the 2026 budget [6]