The new administration may push for sweeping changes, including a possible shift in focus from the Moon to Mars, with significant implications for NASA’s budget, partnerships, and future exploration goals

As the Trump administration prepares to return to power, speculation is rife about how its policies will alter NASA’s direction, priorities, and its ongoing space exploration projects. Among the key areas of focus is the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon but has faced years of delays and mounting costs.

One potential shift gaining traction is a pivot away from the Moon and directly towards Mars. Influential figures, including SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, have voiced support for skipping the Moon and focusing all efforts on the Red Planet. However, such a move could meet resistance in Congress, which has long favored a gradual progression from the Moon to Mars, a sentiment reinforced by decades of bipartisan space policy.

“The new Trump Administration might try to skip the moon and go straight to Mars, but I expect they would encounter the same backlash from Congress as Obama did when he proposed that in 2010,” said Marcia Smith, a veteran space policy analyst. While Mars remains an ultimate goal for U.S. space exploration, Congress is unlikely to back an immediate departure from lunar ambitions.

The future of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) is another major point of contention. Designed to be the backbone for crewed lunar missions, the SLS has faced criticism over escalating costs and delays. SpaceX’s Starship system could offer a more cost-effective, reusable alternative, but eliminating SLS entirely would be a difficult sell in Congress, where it has significant support.

Meanwhile, the Gateway lunar space station, a key component of the Artemis program and a critical step towards sustainable lunar exploration, could also be at risk. If the Trump administration chooses to scrap the Gateway, it would have serious implications for NASA’s international partnerships, particularly with the European Space Agency (ESA), Canadian Space Agency (CSA), and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), all of which are heavily invested in its success.

A potential shift in leadership could also reshape NASA’s future. Trump has reportedly selected billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, known for his space tourism ventures with SpaceX, to head the agency. Isaacman’s confirmation by the U.S. Senate will be closely watched, as his business background and commercial space expertise could usher in a more private sector-driven approach to NASA’s operations.

Isaacman’s nomination, however, has not been without controversy. His past political donations to Democratic candidates have raised questions, but he has also garnered strong support from Republicans. His leadership, if confirmed, will likely be tested as NASA navigates this critical phase in its evolution.