Congress Adds $10B to NASA Artemis Moon Program

President Donald Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" includes a significant $10 billion funding boost to NASA's Artemis moon program, reversing his own administration's proposed cuts and extending the life of the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion crew capsule beyond 2027. This funding, supported by Congress and driven by concerns over competition with China, will enable at least two additional Artemis missions and infrastructure investments in north Alabama's space economy. However, the bill has faced criticism for its negative impact on the clean energy sector, as it rolls back key tax incentives and funding for solar energy and greenhouse gas reduction programs, causing concern among industry leaders and clean energy advocates. The bill maintains some production tax credits for clean energy manufacturers but creates uncertainty for long-term demand, especially affecting domestic solar projects. Meanwhile, legacy aerospace firms benefit from the bill's support of the expendable SLS rocket system, despite opposition from figures like Elon Musk and Jared Isaacman who favor reusable rockets and alternative technologies. The bill thus represents a complex legislative package balancing expanded space exploration funding with setbacks in the clean energy transition.