The Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) Memo highlights a critical situation regarding NASA's Mars Exploration Program (MEP) budget and federal Research and Development (R&A) funding policy. This memo serves as a call to action for the MEPAG community, urging them to advocate for the Mars Exploration Program and federally-funded scientific research.
The MEP budget faces a significant challenge with the absorption of the Skyfall payload on the Space Reactor-1 (SR-1) demonstration mission. This will severely impact the program's ability to develop new missions and missions until after the SR-1/Skyfall launch, which is scheduled for late 2028. The costs for Skyfall are expected to exceed the available funding, potentially leading to the termination of one or more currently operating missions at Mars and redirecting their funds to support Skyfall.
The FY27 budget situation is equally concerning. The President's budget request for NASA Science is similar to last year's, and while members of Congress have indicated that it is unlikely to pass, the House markup is flat at the FY26 level, with the entire MEP budget at $300M. This means a substantial portion of the MEP budget will go towards Skyfall, raising questions about the feasibility of the planned launch schedule. If the launch is delayed to 2031 and the budget is not augmented, the MEP program may struggle to make significant progress.
The memo emphasizes the importance of reaching out to elected Representatives and Senators, as well as the leaders of the Senate CJS Appropriations Subcommittee and the full Senate Appropriations Committee. It encourages individuals to express their support for a budget that enables the MEP program of record to continue alongside Skyfall, including a new payload pipeline, previously planned activities for the Mars Future Missions line, and support for ongoing extended missions.
Additionally, the memo addresses recent changes in grant management policy. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed substantive changes that could significantly impact scientific research. These changes include political appointee reviews of grants, the ability to terminate grants for convenience, restrictions on publication and conference travel costs, and new international collaboration restrictions. The MEPAG community is urged to provide input on these proposed changes by July 13, 2026, offering concrete examples of the consequences associated with specific restrictions.
In conclusion, the MEPA memo highlights the need for urgent action to support the Mars Exploration Program and federally-funded scientific research. The community is encouraged to advocate for the necessary budget and policy changes to ensure the continued success of the MEP program and the preservation of scientific research in the face of these challenges.
