WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s proposed 2026 budget calls for the phasing out of the Space Launch System, which is managed in Huntsville.
Marshall Space Flight Center plays a key role in the design of the SLS, the heavy lift launch vehicle that can send astronauts to the moon. Trump’s “skinny” budget, released Friday, calls for the SLS and Orion capsule to be phased out after three flights. Artemis 2 is set to launch in 2026.
The budget proposes a reduction of $879 million from “Legacy Human Exploration Systems” in 2026 compared to 2025. The 2026 budget states that the SLS costs $4 billion per launch and is 140% over budget.
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., who sits on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science, which oversees NASA, reiterated her support for the Space Launch System and said she looks forward to reviewing the full budget that has yet to be released.
“The U.S. space program is vitally important for our national and economic security, and while we need to ensure the cost effectiveness of the program, the SLS rocket is the only rocket currently capable of taking astronauts and large cargo directly to lunar orbit in a single launch,” Britt said in a statement to Alabama Daily News.
“In my meetings with members of President Trump’s team, I have touted Alabama’s second-to-none capabilities and will continue to highlight how Alabamians are pivotal to fulfilling President Trump’s mission for space exploration and to get American astronauts to Mars.”
Trump’s budget proposal wants to fund a program to “replace SLS and Orion flights to the Moon with more cost-effective commercial systems that would support more ambitious subsequent lunar missions.”
U.S Rep. Dale Strong, R-Huntsville, who serves as Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee, said his role on the subcommittee helps “North Alabama have a seat at the table” when appropriating money. He said he has continually advocated for the area’s capabilities for space exploration.
“The work that is done in our district at Marshall Space Flight Center is central to NASA’s most critical missions and ensures our nation remains the leader in space innovation and exploration,” Strong said in a statement.
The budget for NASA is aimed at “beating China back to the Moon and on putting the first human on Mars.” The proposal calls for a $6 billion reduction in the agency wide budget for NASA. Trump’s budget proposes $18.8 billion for the agency compared to $24.8 billion last year.
Marshall Space Flight Center directed an Alabama Daily News inquiry for comment to an agency wide press release on the proposed budget.
“This proposal includes investments to simultaneously pursue exploration of the Moon and Mars while still prioritizing critical science and technology research,” acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro said in a statement.
The Planetary Society, a space advocacy organization, criticized the proposed NASA cuts.
“This proposed cut would represent a historic step backward for American leadership in space science, exploration and innovation,” the organization said.
In total, Trump’s budget proposal calls for slashing $163 billion in non-defense spending from the federal government.
The president’s budget is simply a framework and Congress ultimately decides how it wants to appropriate funding for the next year.