"First, in the president's budget request for fiscal year 2026, the White House sought to terminate NASA's costly Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft after the Artemis III mission, the first human landing. And second, to focus on "direct-to-surface" exploration, the White House sought to cancel the Lunar Gateway, a small space station intended to orbit the Moon. Essentially, for long-term sustainability, the White House decided it was best to use lower-cost, commercially available rockets and focus NASA's limited resources on surface activities. For example, the Gateway's $854 million budget in 2024 would be better spent in future years on a lunar base."
"a provision written by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) added $6.7 billion in funding to support additional flights of the SLS rocket and Orion, as well as to continue construction of the Gateway. And on Wednesday, at the beginning of a hearing to discuss NASA's Artemis Program and the agency's efforts to compete with China for influence at the Moon, Cruz warned the White House that it must not cancel the SLS rocket and Lunar Gateway."
It is highly unlikely the United States will beat China's projected timeline. The White House proposed terminating the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft after Artemis III and canceling the Lunar Gateway to prioritize direct-to-surface exploration and lower-cost commercial rockets. The administration argued Gateway funds could better support a lunar base, noting the Gateway's $854 million 2024 budget. Congress responded by adding $6.7 billion via legislation to fund additional SLS and Orion flights and Gateway construction. Sen. Ted Cruz argued it would be folly to end missions after hardware purchase and pledged to ensure funds reflect Congressional intent.
Read at Ars Technica
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