A Stunning Policy Reversal
Donald Trump just made a major shift in space policy—and it’s hitting Elon Musk where it hurts. The former president, once a vocal supporter of Mars exploration, has now signed off on a $10 billion investment in NASA’s Artemis program. The move diverts resources away from Mars and toward returning humans to the Moon—something Musk has openly opposed.
Musk’s Mars Mission Put on Ice
For over a decade, Musk has made it clear: getting to Mars is his ultimate goal. Through SpaceX, he’s worked tirelessly to make human colonization of the red planet a reality. NASA, too, had once shared that long-term vision.
When Trump was elected, Musk was thrilled. At the time, Trump expressed strong interest in Mars exploration, even echoing Musk’s enthusiasm at his inauguration. But the recent “Big Beautiful Bill” marks a clear U-turn.
What’s the $10 Billion For?
As reported by The Daily Mail, the bill injects $10 billion into NASA’s Artemis initiative. The goal? Send astronauts back to the Moon for the first time in over 50 years—and establish a permanent lunar base by decade’s end.
The decision comes after Trump previously backed cuts to NASA, especially targeting the very Space Launch System (SLS) that will now power Artemis missions. The reversal raises eyebrows—especially amid Trump’s public feud with Musk.
Why Musk Opposes Artemis
Musk has two main issues with the Artemis program:
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NASA’s use of SLS: Unlike SpaceX’s reusable rockets, the SLS is single-use and far more expensive. Musk argues it drains NASA’s budget and sidelines more innovative private solutions—namely, his own.
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Shift in priorities: Artemis focuses heavily on the Moon, pushing Mars colonization further down NASA’s to-do list. Musk sees this as a major setback for humanity’s future in space.
A Costly Distraction?
Musk didn’t mince words last year. He called Artemis “extremely inefficient” and labeled it a “jobs-maximizing program, not a results-maximizing one.”
To him, the Moon is a “distraction,” not the goal. The latest funding decision only confirms his fears.
Mars Left Waiting
With Artemis now in full swing, Musk’s Mars dream may be on hold for years. Establishing a Moon base will dominate NASA’s agenda through the end of the decade. And without major government backing, SpaceX could find itself sidelined in the race to explore deeper space.
