US space agency NASA says it will phase out a large rocket and spacecraft developed under the US-led international lunar exploration program, Artemis, and replace them with commercial systems.



The announcement comes after the administration of President Donald Trump on Friday released a budget plan for fiscal 2026 that begins in October.



NASA plans to cut about 6 billion dollars, which accounts for 24 percent of the agency's current budget, for the next fiscal year.



NASA says the Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule of the Artemis Program will be retired after a launch scheduled for 2027, paving the way for more cost-effective commercial systems.



The agency also plans to end the Gateway Program, which is developing a lunar space station, and reduce the crew size and onboard research activities of the International Space Station in preparation for its decommissioning by 2030.



NASA proposes that more than 7 billion dollars be allocated for lunar exploration and one billion dollars be introduced in new investments for Mars-focused programs.



The agency says the budget refocuses its funding on "beating China back to the Moon and putting the first human on Mars."