TL;DR
House and Senate appropriations text restores the bulk of NASA's science budget for FY2026, reversing steep proposed cuts. The deal also preserves the Space Launch System and Orion through Artemis III, but does not settle which orbiter — if any — will be moved to Houston.
What happened
Lawmakers on the House and Senate Appropriations Committees released a joint explanatory statement that rejects large proposed reductions to NASA's science portfolio and restores most funding for FY2026. The administration had requested $3.9 billion for NASA science, well below the FY2025 enacted level of $7.33 billion; the appropriations text raises the FY2026 science allocation to $7.25 billion. The broader Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies bill also trims the agency's requested Exploration funding somewhat, allocating $7.78 billion versus an $8.31 billion request. The agreement explicitly blocks termination of the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion programs after Artemis III and restricts reprogramming of Artemis Moon-to-Mars transportation funds unless a commercial alternative demonstrably matches SLS/Orion capabilities. The package must still clear both chambers of Congress, and separate language on relocating a flown crewed space vehicle to Houston remains unaddressed in the text.
Why it matters
- Restoring science funding largely reverses a proposal that would have sharply reduced research programs and mission planning.
- Keeping SLS and Orion through Artemis III preserves current government-led deep-space launch capabilities for the near term.
- Limiting transfers from Artemis transportation funds protects budgetary support for Moon-to-Mars architecture until commercial options are proven.
- Unresolved decisions about a flown crewed vehicle relocation leave a high-profile museum and political issue open.
Key facts
- The FY2026 science request from the administration was $3.9 billion; FY2025 enacted was $7.33 billion.
- The appropriations agreement sets NASA science funding at $7.25 billion for FY2026.
- Exploration funding was requested at $8.31 billion and allocated $7.78 billion in the agreement.
- The joint text rejects proposed termination of SLS and Orion programs following Artemis III.
- The agreement bars using Artemis Moon-to-Mars Transportation funds unless a commercial alternative meets or exceeds SLS/Orion capabilities.
- The funding package still requires approval by the full House and Senate.
- The text does not identify which 'space vehicle' will be transferred to Houston; the Shuttle Discovery is widely expected but not named.
- Sen. John Cornyn said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman committed to follow the One Big Beautiful Bill Act provision on moving a flown crewed vehicle, but the OBBA does not explicitly name Discovery.
- Administrator Isaacman cautioned any relocation must be affordable and ensure the vehicle's safety and did not confirm Discovery as the selected vehicle.
What to watch next
- Whether the appropriations agreement clears the full House and Senate and becomes law.
- Which specific flown crewed 'space vehicle' Congress or NASA will designate for relocation to Houston — not confirmed in the source.
- Any follow-up congressional language or appropriations riders that further constrain transfers from Artemis transportation accounts.
- How NASA adjusts program budgets given the restored science funding but reduced purchasing power from inflation.
Quick glossary
- Appropriations Committees: Congressional panels in the House and Senate that draft spending bills to allocate federal funds to agencies and programs.
- Space Launch System (SLS): A government-developed heavy-lift rocket intended to carry crew and cargo beyond low Earth orbit as part of Artemis missions.
- Orion: NASA's crew capsule designed for deep-space missions, often paired with the SLS for Artemis missions.
- Artemis program: NASA's program to return humans to the Moon and develop capabilities for eventual human missions to Mars.
- One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA): A law referenced by lawmakers that includes provisions about transferring flown crewed space vehicles to other locations; it does not name specific vehicles.
Reader FAQ
Did Congress restore NASA science funding for FY2026?
The appropriations committees' text sets NASA science funding at $7.25 billion, reversing most of the administration's $3.9 billion request.
Is the Space Launch System being canceled after Artemis III?
The agreement rejects the proposed termination of SLS and Orion following Artemis III.
Has it been decided which orbiter will be moved to Houston?
Not confirmed in the source.
Is the appropriations package final and law?
No; the agreement between the committees still needs approval from the full House and Senate.
SCIENCE 1 Congress ctrl-Zs bulk of proposed cuts to NASA science Fate of Shuttle Discovery remains conspicuously unaddressed in FY2026 agreement text Richard Speed Tue 6 Jan 2026 // 13:25 UTC NASA's budget battle…
Sources
- Congress ctrl-Zs bulk of proposed cuts to NASA science
- NASA's science budget won't be a train wreck after all
- NASA Budget News Is Not As Bad As Was Feared
- New NASA budget would shut down 41 space missions
Related posts
- macOS Tahoe icons follow old Apple rule designers were warned against
- How to Feed Birds This Winter: Expert Tips to Attract More Species Safely
- New web tool aims to simplify Unix epoch conversions — is it the best?