Congress Approves $24.4B NASA Budget, Saves 40+ Missions

Dozens of NASA missions exploring distant planets just got a lifeline from Congress, proving that space exploration still unites Americans across party lines.

On Thursday, the Senate passed a spending bill giving NASA $24.4 billion for 2026, joining the House in overwhelmingly rejecting proposed cuts that would have slashed the agency's budget by 24%. The House voted 397 to 28 in favor, while the Senate passed it 82 to 15.

The budget proposal released last spring had recommended just $18.8 billion for NASA, with science programs taking the biggest hit at a 47% reduction. That would have terminated more than 40 missions, including spacecraft already exploring our solar system and future probes being built to visit Venus.

Instead, Congress restored nearly all the science funding. NASA's Science Mission Directorate will receive $7.25 billion, just 1% less than last year, compared to the proposed $3.9 billion cut.

The vote saves the New Horizons mission that gave us our first close-up views of Pluto and continues exploring the outer solar system. It protects Juno, still orbiting Jupiter and sending back stunning images and data. The OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft studying asteroids gets to continue its work, along with two Venus probes still being built.

"This package sustains our investments in scientific research and protects essential funding," said Senator Patty Murray, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The Ripple Effect

The funding represents more than just missions saved. Thousands of scientists, engineers, and researchers across the country can continue their work exploring fundamental questions about our universe.

Combined with additional funding from legislation passed last summer, NASA's total 2026 budget reaches $27.53 billion. According to the Planetary Society, which tracks NASA budgets, this marks the agency's largest funding level since 1998 when adjusted for inflation.

The bipartisan support sends a clear message that Americans still value space exploration and scientific discovery. In an era of political division, overwhelming majorities in both chambers agreed that understanding our cosmic neighborhood matters.

Only one major mission remains canceled: Mars Sample Return, which faced delays and cost overruns even before budget discussions began. NASA is already exploring alternative ways to bring Martian rock samples back to Earth.

The bill now heads to the president's desk for signature, where it's expected to be approved despite departing from the original budget proposal.