President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has allocated significant funding for launch vehicles while scaling back on various other space programs.
Nearly $10 billion is earmarked for Boeing’s Space Launch System (SLS) and its related projects. The bill outlines that the SLS has already experienced delays—from 2016 to 2022—and is expected to exceed its budget by more than $6 billion. It’s anticipated that launches will finally take place in the coming years, as noted in a 2023 report from NASA’s General Inspector.
Space policy analysts have often pointed out that SLS seems to primarily exist to safeguard aerospace jobs in states such as Florida, Texas, and Alabama. Despite the hefty investment of taxpayer money, SLS is falling short of private alternatives like SpaceX in terms of cost and operational efficiency, which raises concerns about its efficiency.
“The idea was to phase out the Space Shuttle, use those savings to create something new,” said an official, describing SLS as a kind of “Frankenstein rocket,” with much of its technology dating back to older space shuttle components.
Initially designed in 2014 as America’s flagship rocket, SLS was intended to send astronauts to the moon for the establishment of a permanent U.S. presence beyond Earth.
Interestingly, SLS received the nickname “Shelby Launch System,” after former Senator Richard Shelby, who played a key role in its development. Currently, it employs over 28,000 workers, many located in Alabama.
OBBBA has also allocated $4.1 billion for Artemis IV and about $20 million for the Orion Capsule System. Artemis IV plans to build a lunar base and is scheduled for a 2028 release, while Artemis V is set for 2030.
To date, SLS has cost American taxpayers approximately $23.8 billion, while the Orion Capsule has reached around $20.4 billion.
One official remarked, “Everyone in the industry knows this is a costly rocket, and maybe not a huge concern for taxpayers.” The next mission, Artemis II, has been delayed from September 2025 to April 2026, and Artemis III is now pushed to 2027.
Audit results from August 2024 showed that Boeing lacks a sufficient number of skilled workers on the SLS project, which has also experienced notable quality control issues, particularly with its 737 aircraft.
Besides increasing SLS funding, the White House’s Budget Management Office has urged substantial cuts to NASA’s budget—about 25% while canceling more than 40 unmanned science missions for 2026.
Alternatives like SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy Rockets could offer similar heavy-lifting capabilities. However, SpaceX’s versions are reusable and come at a far lower cost without relying on government support.
Critics express concern that the combination of budget cuts and required spending on SLS is detrimental. Some argue that retiring SLS could save billions, allowing funds to be redirected toward moon missions and maintaining space probes.
Navigating the budget landscape, NASA has suggested to the administration that SLS be retired after the Artemis III mission in 2027, focusing instead on commercial options for lunar exploration.
A NASA spokesperson acknowledged awareness of OBBBA’s provisions, stating the agency would strive to effectively utilize the funds and pursue the President’s vision for the future of space exploration.
Boeing has yet to respond to requests for comment.
