In a move that underscores the Trump administration’s intent to significantly reduce NASA’s science programs, mission leaders across the agency have been directed to prepare “closeout” plans by the end of next week. This directive, issued by NASA’s senior leadership on Monday, is acting under the guidance of the White House Office of Management and Budget. The memos, reviewed by Ars Technica, require detailed plans to be ready by as soon as July 9 for some missions, leaving principal investigators in a scramble due to the tight deadline and the looming July 4 holiday weekend.
The plans must be prepared under the assumption that closeout directions will be issued on October 1, 2025. For missions currently in operation—those spacecraft actively conducting science across the Solar System—the memos specify that closeout should be completed within three months. While the memos describe this as a “planning exercise only,” many scientists familiar with NASA’s internal communications suspect these plans are a precursor to actual mission cancellations.
Implications of Budget Cuts
The directive to prepare closeout plans follows the Trump administration’s proposed budget for NASA, which aims to slash the agency’s funding by 24 percent, reducing it from $24.8 billion this year to $18.8 billion in fiscal year 2026. The Science Mission Directorate is particularly affected, facing nearly a 50 percent reduction.
“The proposed budget cuts are unprecedented and could set back scientific research by decades,” said Dr. Emily Carter, a planetary scientist at the California Institute of Technology.
The proposed budget cuts have sparked concern among scientists and policymakers alike, as the Science Mission Directorate supports a wide range of research, from climate studies to planetary exploration. The potential loss of funding could halt critical missions and delay future projects, impacting the United States’ leadership in space science.
Historical Context and Expert Opinions
This isn’t the first time NASA has faced budgetary constraints. During the 2013 government shutdown, NASA was forced to furlough 97 percent of its workforce, bringing many projects to a standstill. However, the current situation is unique in its preemptive nature, with the administration seeking to curtail missions before Congress has even finalized the budget.
Dr. James Hansen, a former NASA scientist and climate change expert, expressed his concerns:
“The administration’s approach seems to be more about dismantling than restructuring. The long-term impacts on our scientific capabilities could be severe.”
Experts warn that the potential cancellation of ongoing missions could lead to a loss of valuable data and hinder international collaborations. NASA’s missions often involve partnerships with space agencies from other countries, and abrupt cancellations could damage these relationships.
Looking Ahead
As the proposed budget awaits congressional approval, there is still hope among the scientific community that lawmakers will intervene to preserve critical NASA programs. Advocacy groups and scientists are mobilizing to raise awareness about the importance of continued funding for space science.
Meanwhile, the directive to prepare closeout plans continues to generate anxiety within NASA. The agency’s scientists and engineers are left in a state of uncertainty, unsure of which missions will survive the budgetary axe.
The coming months will be crucial in determining the fate of NASA’s science missions. As the fiscal year 2026 approaches, the scientific community and policymakers will need to navigate the challenges posed by the proposed budget cuts and work together to ensure the continuation of vital research and exploration efforts.
