Congress and Trump may compromise on the SLS rocket by axing its costly upper stage

As the new fiscal year approaches on October 1, uncertainty looms over NASA's budget, raising numerous questions about the agency's future projects. The Trump administration is reportedly considering halting various science missions that are either currently operational or under development. While Congress has expressed a commitment to maintaining these missions, the lack of a confirmed budget means the White House is preparing to potentially withdraw support. This week could provide some clarity as the House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to discuss the Commerce, Justice, and Science budget bill. However, the possibility of a budget passing by the deadline remains slim, with alternatives including a continuing resolution or even a government shutdown. Discussions are intensifying around NASA's Artemis Program and the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The Trump administration has aimed to terminate the SLS project, which is viewed as a costly and expendable venture. Initially, there were calls for an immediate cancellation, but the strategy shifted to delaying the decision until after the Artemis III mission. This approach is seen as a way to maximize the chances of landing astronauts on the Moon before China achieves a similar feat, followed by a transition to a more cost-effective lunar program. However, resistance from Congress, especially from Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, has complicated matters. Cruz secured funding in the recent omnibus budget proposal, ensuring that Artemis IV and V will utilize the SLS rocket, along with commitments for additional missions. Since the White House released its budget proposal in May, which suggested ending the SLS program post-Artemis III, there has been a notable silence from officials. That changed last week when interim NASA Administrator Sean Duffy spoke about the situation on a podcast hosted by agency spokesperson Gary Jordan.