NASA Changes Direction: Agency Gains Intelligence and Defense Roles Under Trump’s Directive

According to the document, NASA's primary activities will now include intelligence gathering, counterintelligence, and tasks related to national security. This marks a significant shift for the agency, which has focused on space exploration, scientific programs, and Earth observation for over six decades.

Kit Cowing, founder of the NASA Watch portal and a former NASA scientist, noted on his blog that the new order contains no mention of science or research, indicating a complete departure from the agency’s previous scientific priorities.

This decision to refocus NASA comes amid instability within the agency. Earlier, the White House proposed cutting NASA’s science budget by nearly half for the next fiscal year, which could halt several major space programs.

Moreover, this move aligns with the broader strategy of the Trump administration to militarize space and actively develop missions to return to the Moon and prepare for Mars expeditions.