Europe's space agency weighs fallout from proposed NASA budget cuts that could threaten joint missions

A man in a black suit and glasses holds his hands up at shoulder height while speaking on a stage.

The European Space Agency is assessing how proposed cuts to NASA's budget could impact it and its member states as major cooperative missions face the threat of cancellation.

The Trump administration's "skinny budget" released on May 2 proposes slashing the NASA budget by 24%. Two major projects involving ESA — the Gateway lunar orbiting station and Mars Sample Return (MSR) — are earmarked for cancellation. ESA has committed to providing a key element of Gateway and the Earth Return Orbiter for MSR.