NASA Science Division Preserves 55 Missions After Proposed 47 Percent Cut

Congress rejected President Trump's proposed 47 percent cut to NASA's Science Mission Directorate, instead appropriating $7.25 billion for the division within a total NASA budget of $24.44 billion. The final figure preserves 55 science missions that faced cancellation under the presidential budget request.

The three-bill appropriations package, signed February 3, represents a decisive bipartisan rebuke of the administration's science-spending proposals. Senator Susan Collins called it "a fiscally responsible package that restrains spending while providing essential federal investments."

Fifty-Five Missions Stay Alive

The budget maintains funding across NASA's Earth science fleet, astrophysics observatories, and planetary science missions. Earth observation satellites tracking climate patterns, deforestation, and atmospheric composition will continue operating. Heliophysics missions studying solar wind and space weather also survived.

STEM engagement programs—which fund university research partnerships, graduate fellowships, and student training initiatives—emerged intact after facing elimination in the president's request. Human exploration spending actually increased, preserving momentum for the Artemis lunar program and deep-space development.

Real Purchasing Power Still Eroding

The victory comes with caveats. While 55 missions survive, NASA's overall budget reflects a 3.4 percent nominal reduction from FY2024, meaning inflation continues to erode real purchasing power. New mission starts will face intense competition for limited discretionary funds, and some programs may see slower timelines even if they avoid outright cancellation.

Senator Patty Murray noted the package "protects essential funding" but acknowledged the broader constraints imposed by deficit-reduction targets across all discretionary spending.

What Researchers Should Do Next

Principal investigators and research teams that depend on NASA mission data can resume normal proposal planning. Institutions that began contingency planning for mission terminations should pivot back to active solicitations. Competition for new awards will be fierce—researchers can track NASA and other federal opportunities early on grantedai.com.

For detailed analysis of how FY2026 budgets affect research funding across agencies, visit the Granted blog.