The U.S. space industry, including hundreds of companies and the U.S. Space Force, has urged Congress to maintain funding for the Office of Space Commerce's space situational awareness program, known as TraCSS. This system is critical for preventing satellite collisions and managing space traffic. The White House had proposed eliminating the program's budget, cutting it by 84%, which has raised concerns about increased risks of satellite collisions and broader implications for U.S. leadership in space. The Senate Appropriations Committee rejected the administration's proposal to end the TraCSS program, emphasizing its importance. Meanwhile, House Democrats have criticized NASA for allegedly attempting to ignore Congressional budget actions and illegally impound FY 2025 funds, warning of dire consequences for U.S. space leadership. Several appropriations bills related to space activities, including funding for NASA, NOAA, and the FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation, have seen varying progress in the House and Senate, with ongoing debates over budget priorities for fiscal year 2026.
Implementing Trump's proposed NASA cuts illegal before Congress passes budget, Democrats say https://t.co/gxyuri4H5u
Senate Approps cmte recommendations for NASA overall and NASA science: https://t.co/pGCd75BsxQ
Senate Approps rejected the Admin proposal to end the TraCSS program in Office of Space Commerce. From the cmte's report: https://t.co/wm8uwdkd23