Black Card
Congress proposed the largest cuts to NASA science in history. The public mobilized. Congress backed down. The one thing that still got canceled was ___________.
Cards Against Artemis™
Dossier 09 of 10Complicated
The Budget.
NASA's budget is 0.36% of federal spending. Every year, someone tries to cut it. Every year, people fight to save it. Sometimes they win. Sometimes an $11 billion sample return mission dies.
§ 1 — Fiscal Operations (Trigger Warning)
The Space Program Costs \$25 Billion. You're Already Paying For It.
NASA's annual budget is approximately \$25 billion — roughly 0.36% of total federal spending. The U.S. military budget is approximately \$886 billion, or about 35× NASA's budget.
In 2025, the White House proposed cutting NASA's budget by approximately \$5 billion (20%), including proposals to close the Goddard Space Flight Center and cancel the Roman Space Telescope. Congress rejected the cuts.
However: Mars Sample Return was not funded. Additionally, DOGE unilaterally cut \$93 million from NASA's budget. Leaked proposals indicated SpaceX development work was largely spared while science programs bore disproportionate reductions.
Significant talent drain occurred during the 2025 uncertainty. The people who build the telescopes, rovers, and spacecraft are the most irreplaceable part of the program.
§ Play a Card
Your Turn.
Tap a white card to fill the blank. Click a filled blank to clear it.
↑ Tap a white card to play it
White Card
Played
“The most expensive collection of Martian dirt ever assembled, sitting in tubes.”
Cards Against Artemis™
White Card
Played
“The mission that was going to answer whether we’re alone in the universe.”
Cards Against Artemis™
White Card
Played
“Whatever was 98% done and could be cut without anyone noticing immediately.”
Cards Against Artemis™