WASHINGTON — NASA has confirmed that nearly 20% of its workforce is set to leave the agency in the coming weeks. The move comes amid ongoing efforts to streamline operations and manage budget priorities more effectively.
A NASA spokesperson said that approximately 3,870 employees are expected to depart. This would reduce the agency’s total workforce from around 18,000 to roughly 14,000 employees. The final number may still change as decisions continue to unfold.
Many of those leaving are in senior government roles, particularly in GS-13 to GS-15 positions. According to internal documents reported by Politico, NASA has offered early retirement packages, buyouts, and deferred resignation options to encourage voluntary exits.
Bethany Stevens, a NASA spokesperson, emphasized the agency’s focus on mission continuity despite the staffing cuts. “NASA remains committed to our mission as we work within a more prioritised budget,” she said in an emailed statement to Reuters.
The news follows a turbulent period for the U.S. space agency. Under the administration of former President Donald Trump, NASA faced significant budget pressures. Proposed cuts threatened dozens of science programs, leading to uncertainty across the organization.
Complicating the situation further, NASA has been without a confirmed administrator. Jared Isaacman, a billionaire private astronaut and known associate of Elon Musk, was previously nominated for the role. However, the White House withdrew his name from consideration last month, reportedly due to tensions between Musk and the administration.
The agency has not commented further on when a new administrator might be appointed. In the meantime, leadership continues to focus on mission-critical goals despite the reduced workforce.
The planned reduction has raised concerns about the future of NASA’s long-term projects, but officials say the agency will remain operational and committed to its goals in space exploration and research.
For more details on NASA’s asteroid predictions, read the full report here.
