• NASA signs $175.7 million launch contract with SpaceX for Rosalind Franklin mission.
• Mission aims to launch European Mars rover in late 2028.
• White House budget proposal would zero out funding for the project.
• Congress may restore funding, as it has in prior cycles.

This decision may indicate NASA's commitment to international partnerships despite budget uncertainty. The selection of Falcon Heavy suggests a focus on reliability and availability, which could impact future launch contracts. The budget contradiction may signal a disconnect between NASA's programmatic goals and the administration's policy priorities.