NASA, in surprise shift, may launch rockets to Mars next year

Yahoo

07-05-2025

NASA is considering launching rockets to Mars next year, a major shift in priorities that could boost the fortunes of Elon Musk's space company and speed up the timeline for astronauts to reach the red planet.
The sudden switch follows the release of the White House's 2026 budget proposal, which would increase funding for Mars-related projects by $1 billion and pay for the launches. It also signals the Trump's administration's intentions to prioritize sending people to Mars.
'We are evaluating every opportunity, including launch windows in 2026 and 2028, to test technologies that will land humans on Mars,' said NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens.
The White House first hinted at the possibility last month in a press release after a meeting between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Donald Trump. It indicated the U.S. and Italy would partner on a Mars mission as soon as next year.
NASA employees who would usually know about such plans were not informed about the Mars effort prior to the White House meeting, according to a senior official, who was granted anonymity to speak about internal matters.
The missions could prove a boon for Musk's SpaceX, which would likely be a top contender to provide the rocket. While other companies have rockets that could reach Mars, only SpaceX has announced plans to land one on the planet in 2026.
NASA's new focus aligns with the Trump administration's increasing interest in Mars. Trump, in his inauguration speech, promised to land the first astronaut on the planet. Jared Isaacman, the nominee for NASA administrator, also said he would 'prioritize' such a mission in testimony ahead of his nomination hearing. And Musk, a Trump adviser, has long pushed to prioritize Mars over a moon landing.
But a Mars focus could lead to a clash with lawmakers, who have legally mandated that NASA pursue a long-term human presence on or near the moon.
Congress may buck Trump and refuse to approve the funding in his budget request, especially if lawmakers worry the effort will delay lunar plans. The White House's budget proposal also cancels the Gateway lunar space station program, which many senators support.
Isaacman has said the space agency can pursue lunar and Mars plans at the same time. But both Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), the chair and ranking member of the Senate committee overseeing NASA, pushed Isaacman on that assertion in written questions following his confirmation hearing.
The White House, SpaceX, Cruz and Cantwell did not respond to requests for comment.
Next year and 2028 are the soonest time frames when Earth and Mars are closest, making them optimal years for launching missions.
SpaceX's Starship is not the only contender for the trip. Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, which launched for the first time in January, could carry a small payload to Mars. The company is already contracted to send two small satellites to Mars this year or next to study the planet. Rocket producer ULA has also built rockets for Mars missions.
And Starship still needs to pass significant technical tests before any trip to the red planet. The rocket's last two flights ended with explosions.