Nearly 4,000 NASA Employees Depart Amid Workforce Reductions
Nearly 4,000 employees of NASA have chosen to leave the agency through the deferred resignation program initiated by the Trump administration. This significant reduction represents approximately 20% of NASA’s total workforce, decreasing the employee count from 18,000 to 14,000. NASA spokesperson Cheryl Warner confirmed these figures in a statement released on Saturday.
The departures include 3,000 employees who applied during the second round of the program, which closed at midnight on Friday. This follows an earlier round in which 870 employees opted to resign. The total number also accounts for 500 employees lost due to normal attrition. These workforce reductions align with the administration’s broader strategy to decrease the federal workforce, driven by recommendations from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The timeline for implementing these workforce cuts remains uncertain, as NASA has not clarified how they will impact the agency’s operations. NPR has reached out to the White House for further comment on the matter.
Budget Cuts and Future Funding
In addition to workforce reductions, the Trump administration has proposed significant cuts to NASA’s budget. A fiscal year 2026 budget request released in May suggests a reduction of about 24%, decreasing funding from nearly $25 billion to around $19 billion. However, discussions are ongoing in both the House and Senate regarding budget recommendations that may maintain funding levels closer to the current allocation.
Despite concerns about future funding, NASA recently received a boost in financial support. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law earlier this month, allocates nearly $10 billion in additional funding for NASA through 2032. This funding is earmarked for crucial initiatives, including missions to Mars and plans for a return to the Moon.
Criticism of the proposed budget cuts has emerged from various quarters, particularly from scientists and space advocacy organizations. The Planetary Society, led by Bill Nye, expressed strong disapproval of the White House’s budget proposal, stating, “A great nation deserves a great space program, one that reflects our national ideals and serves the public interest.” The organization argues that the proposal fails to meet these expectations and undermines NASA’s role in fostering unity and collaboration.
On Monday, over 300 current and former NASA employees took action by signing a letter known as the “Voyager Declaration.” The letter was addressed to interim NASA administrator Sean Duffy and criticized what they described as “rapid and wasteful changes” at the agency, which they claim include detrimental cuts to programs and research initiatives. They urged Duffy to reconsider the proposed cuts, asserting that such measures are not in the best interest of NASA’s mission.
As NASA navigates these significant changes, the implications for its future operations and projects remain to be seen. The agency’s challenge will be to maintain its leadership in space exploration while adapting to the evolving landscape of federal support and workforce dynamics.
