Following a challenging 2025 marked by the departure of approximately 4,000 staff members, NASA now secures its 2026 operational funding, which largely safeguards its research programs. The Senate approved a spending package on Thursday that supports NASA, the National Science Foundation, and several additional government entities.
During the budget negotiations, the administration sought a 24% decrease in NASA's overall budget from the previous year. This included a proposal to slash the Science Mission Directorate's allocation by almost 50%, potentially leading to the termination of 55 active and upcoming projects, such as the OSIRIS-APEX initiative. Instead, the legislation dismisses the president's outline, trimming NASA's total budget by only 1.6% to $24.4 billion.
The updated funding sets NASA's science allocation at $7.25 billion, reflecting a 1.1% decline from fiscal 2024 levels, with reallocations emphasizing certain areas. Notably, heliophysics received $874 million, an 8.7% increase, while planetary science, responsible for missions including New Horizons, dropped to $2.5 billion, a 6.5% reduction from 2024. Meanwhile, the STEM outreach division, targeted for elimination by the president, retains its previous funding level.
"This outcome aligns closely with our advocacy goals, and it's heartening to observe bipartisan congressional support—despite alignment with the president's party—for sustained investment in NASA science," remarked Casey Dreier, policy director at the Planetary Society, a group established by Carl Sagan to promote space exploration and research. "The provisions explicitly ensure that these funds are directed toward the specified congressional priorities."
The package also counters the administration's attempt to discontinue the Space Launch System following its third launch. Despite exceeding its budget by billions, this heavy-lift vehicle stands as the sole option currently available for transporting crew to the lunar surface. Unlike other NASA elements, the rocket's continuation was anticipated. Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, incorporated support for it into the president's major legislative package. "The robust political backing for the SLS has consistently been a factor not to overlook, and recent events confirm that strength," Dreier observed.
Of greater significance, the Goddard Space Flight Center appears shielded from additional setbacks. Earlier this year, the site's viability, renowned for contributions to endeavors like the James Webb Space Telescope, faced uncertainty. Reports indicate the facility has shed about one-third of its personnel amid staff reductions, with management closing numerous structures, including around 100 labs. Among the losses was NASA's primary archive, containing unique records of space exploration history, many of which are slated for disposal under a streamlining initiative.
The spending measure mandates NASA to "maintain all premier technical and scientific assets at Goddard." It further requires the organization to support ongoing operations at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies with little interference. This prominent climate research unit in New York entered uncertainty last spring when the administration aimed to close it.
Additionally, the legislation offers support for NASA's plans to retrieve Martian soil gathered by the Perseverance rover. Although lawmakers have ended the formal Mars Sample Return program, they allocated $110 million to advance related technologies for prospective Mars expeditions. Supporters of the effort contend it holds potential for major breakthroughs, yet Dreier highlights that poor oversight made it vulnerable to termination.
"The MSR initiative now carries a reputation for inefficiency, high expenses, and overrun risks, complicating any revival without a major overhaul," Dreier commented, noting that the choice for its future will probably rank high for incoming administrator Jared Isaacman.
The 2026 allocation provides NASA with reduced means overall. In sectors holding steady from 2024 funding, rising costs mean tighter operations. Relative to the severe reductions envisioned in the president's draft, this slight decrease represents an optimal result under current conditions, though challenges persist.
"A fresh presidential budget proposal will emerge soon, potentially reopening these debates," Dreier indicated.