After a rather space-packed first term, many expected the same to happen during President Trump‘s second term. However, we are approaching two-thirds of the way through Trump’s 100 days, and we still don’t have a firm understanding of his space goals.
Mars is not a priority
Outside his false remarks on the status of Boeing Crew Flight Test’s former astronauts, the only other major space point President Trump has stated is his wish to send astronauts to Mars. This has come up twice in prominent speeches, including his inaugural address and first address to a joint session of Congress.
And we will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars.
President Trump, Inaugural Address, January 20, 2025
We are going to conquer the vast frontiers of science, and we’re going to lead humanity into space and plant the American flag on the planet Mars and even far beyond.
President Trump, Joint Session of Congress, March 4, 2025
This is not a new interest for him. During his first term, when his Vice President and NASA Administrator made great strides toward organizing and naming the Artemis Program, he didn’t seem to even understand why it existed during a televised meeting. He even asked then-Administrator Bridenstine if they could go to Mars.
However, even with Elon Musk as a close advisor and private astronaut Jared Isaacman awaiting confirmation as NASA Administrator, Trump has stated his low priority for getting to Mars.
There’s a lot of interest in going to Mars. Is it number one on my hit list? No. It’s not really. But it is something that would be, you know, it would be a great achievement. It would be a great thing if we could do it.
President Trump, Fox News Interview, March 9, 2025
Not to mention there is no chance a Martian landing will be able to take place during President Trump’s term. To do so, we would have to be ready by the fall of 2026 to launch our first crewed flights, something that Musk has stated they won’t be ready for.
Isaacman still not confirmed
Even if President Trump wanted to get to Mars, NASA would need a confirmed leader to make it happen. Jared Isaacman, tech billionaire and private astronaut on the Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn missions, has been the man tasked with the job by the President. However, no confirmation hearing has been scheduled yet by the Senate Commerce Committee, which oversees the matter.
Both former Administrator Bridenstine and a frenzy of former NASA astronauts (including those who organized against Trump in the election) have come out urging the Senate for a speedy confirmation.
However, it seems like the ball is in Trump or Isaacman’s court as Senator Ted Cruz, who chairs the committee, has yet to receive the appropriate paperwork to move forward with a confirmation. This paperwork could include financial disclosures by Isaacman (who is financially linked to SpaceX through his Shift4 company owning shares in the aerospace contractor) or an FBI background check, plus whatever else the government requires to be done.
Currently, NASA is headed by Acting Administrator Janet Petro, who, before assuming control, was the Director of Kennedy Space Center. For now, she has been continuing with the previous plan of launching Artemis 2 and 3 to the Moon to return America to the lunar surface. She has also been tasked with complying with Executive Orders, removing any reference to DEI initiatives, and allowing DOGE to look through agency payments, cut staff members, and shut down programs.
DOGE taking cuts to NASA’s staffing
NASA has been at the top of government agencies with employee satisfaction for many years, also being named the agency most people want to work for. This means NASA is full of dedicated and talented civil servants who want to do their part in keeping humanity exploring space, not something new for those of us watching.
However, NASA is being required to take part in DOGE layoffs that could drastically reduce the size of the agency. NASA did receive a one-week extension to complete its Agency RIF (Reduction in Force) and Reorganization Plans; however, that extension ended Monday with a plan reportedly completed.
Three offices along with 23 employees have already been laid off; those include: Office of Technology, Policy and Strategy, the Office of the Chief Scientist, and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Branch of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
With more layoffs on the horizon, reports show morale at the agency is at an all-time low. Agency workers don’t believe NASA will be able to keep up with the tasks it will be given and complete the goals laid out for it with the anticipated high reduction in workforce coming.
