NASA is asked to take a 25 percent cut in its budget, from about $25 billion to $18.8 billion. The budget would cancel the Lunar Gateway that NASA has started developing and end the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft after two more flights, Artemis II and Artemis III.
The Space Launch System and Lunar Gateway were long ago known to be waste and failed programs. Nextbigfuture has pointed out the flaws and failures for many years.
In 2019, Senator Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, said NASA Administrator Bridenstine said Artemis (SLS – Space Launch System – Moon by 2024 program) could cost $20 (billion) to $30 billion over the next five years. This would mean $4 billion to $6 billion in extra funding each year. In 2019, in Senate testimony NASA Admin Bridensine admitted that the first SLS launch might now be in 2021 instead of 2020. The first (and so far only) SLS launch was the uncrewed Artemis I, which took place on 16 November 2022.
SLS 2011-2019 plus Constellation had been $28 billion.
SLS 2011-2024 plus Constellation and with Artemis was projected to be $59 to $69 billion.
This does not include the costs for the Orion manned capsule.
SpaceX Falcon Heavy, built from three Falcon 9 boosters, first flew in 2018. Falcon Heavy has had 11 successful launches and missions. A fully expendable SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch costs approximately $150 million. A reusable Falcon Heavy launch costs about $95 million. SLS costs over $2 billion per launch.
The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket used for the Artemis II mission, specifically the Block 1 configuration, can lift a payload of over 27 metric tons to the trans-lunar injection (TLI) point. The SpaceX Falcon Heavy’s Trans-Lunar Injection (TLI) capacity is estimated to be between 18 and 22 metric tons.
The SpaceX version 3 of the Super Heavy Starship could be ready for missions starting in early 2026.
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.
