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NASA is advancing its ambitions to return to the moon and eventually set foot on Mars, but it is simultaneously planning to reduce its workforce by incentivizing voluntary departures. The intention behind this strategy, shared with employees at recent town hall meetings, is to avert any further involuntary layoffs, although complete elimination of such layoffs cannot be guaranteed.
While agency leaders did not specify a precise target for workforce reductions, leaked documents indicate that the planned cuts could be considerable. Employees were informed that a second “deferred resignation” option might be available, allowing staff to take paid leave until their government exit by September 30. Additionally, opportunities for early retirement and buyouts are being offered to encourage voluntary departures, as detailed in NASA’s reorganization and reduction-in-force (RIF) plans submitted to the Office of Personnel Management and the White House.
A small team at NASA is currently reviewing personnel records to prepare for possible RIFs. Any layoffs, should they occur, are expected to affect positions deemed unnecessary rather than being based on individual employee circumstances, such as remote work status.
Despite circulating rumors, officials clarified that the reorganization plan does not include closing any of NASA’s centers. However, they were unable to completely dismiss the possibility of future closures. Cheryl Warner, a spokesperson for NASA, refrained from disclosing specific details regarding the agency’s plans but noted that a new administrator would have the opportunity to evaluate ongoing efforts once confirmed.
One center facing speculation is the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, which employs over 3,000 federal civil service workers. Recently, Goddard’s director, Makenzie Lsytrup, announced the cancellation of a lease for an office in New York City, which housed the Goddard Institute for Space Studies, requiring 28 employees to transition to remote work until a new facility is secured.
Recent projections for Goddard indicate an anticipated loss of 18% of its federal workforce over the next two years, not accounting for any voluntary exit incentives. This projection considers the initial wave of deferred resignations, the ongoing hiring freeze, and historical rates of employee attrition.
Faraz Khan, legislative director for the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, representing many NASA employees, confirmed that while his members have been assured that additional RIFs are not planned, there remains significant uncertainty regarding management’s motivations. This uncertainty has been particularly pronounced at Goddard.
Nasa has already undergone one round of RIFs, culminating in the closure of its Office of the Chief Scientist and the Office of Technology Policy and Strategy, affecting approximately 20 employees. These changes were framed by Acting Administrator Janet Petro as an opportunity for workforce restructuring, despite their inherent challenges.
Looking ahead, the administration under former President Trump has proposed significant cuts to NASA’s budget. A document from the White House suggests a 50% reduction in funding for the Science Mission Directorate by fiscal year 2026, with the astrophysical division facing nearly a 70% decrease. Overall, the agency could experience a 20% budget cut.
Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland has expressed strong opposition to these proposed cuts, emphasizing that NASA Goddard and its scientific missions play a crucial role in advancing knowledge about the universe and maintaining the U.S.’s leadership in technological innovation and national security.
Many within NASA speculate that final decisions regarding workforce restructuring may be delayed until the Senate confirms President Trump’s nominee for NASA Administrator, Jared Isaacman. During his confirmation hearing, Isaacman, a businessman and commander of SpaceX missions, voiced his commitment to resisting cuts to the Science Directorate and affirmed his support for the Artemis missions—designed to return astronauts to the moon and eventually facilitate human exploration of Mars. The Artemis II mission is poised to send four astronauts around the moon in early 2026, while Artemis III aims to land astronauts on the lunar surface in 2027.
Isaacman’s nomination is scheduled for a vote before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, after which it will proceed to a full Senate vote.
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