The White House's proposed budget cuts to NASA could seriously affect space missions, except for the Mars exploration program, which is receiving additional funding

The White House is proposing massive cuts in NASA's budget, with the exception of the mission to send astronauts to Mars, which gets $100 million. Critics warn the cuts could lead to the cancellation of 40 science missions and a drastic shift in the agency's priorities. International partnerships, including with the European Space Agency, are also threatened. While supporters of the cuts say they provide a clear purpose, experts fear NASA could become dependent on private solutions and the impact on climate observation could be devastating. The proposals must be approved by Congress, but there are fears that political gridlock could lead to the slashed budget being imposed.