NASA to Lose 20% of Workforce Amid Departures.

NASA expects around 20% of its workforce, approximately 3,870 employees, to depart the agency, with the remaining number of employees expected to be around 14,000. The exact number may change in the coming days and weeks.

NASA is preparing for a substantial reduction in its workforce, with approximately 20% of its employees expected to leave the agency. This move comes as the space agency grapples with significant budget cuts and personnel reductions. According to recent reports, around 3,870 employees are set to depart, leaving an estimated 14,000 employees [1].

The departures are part of a broader effort by the agency to shrink its workforce and manage its budget. NASA's budget, which is currently around $24.8 billion, is expected to be cut by 24%, totaling a reduction of approximately $6 billion [2]. The cuts, which are part of a broader push to reduce the federal workforce, are set to affect various divisions within the agency, including space science, Earth science, and mission support.

The budget cuts have sparked internal and external concerns, with questions swirling about how NASA can accomplish its work with fewer personnel. Some former and current NASA employees have expressed concerns about the potential impact of the cuts on the agency's mission and its ability to maintain its scientific and technological advancements.

The departures of senior officials, such as Makenzie Lystrup, the director of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, and Laurie Leshin, the director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, have also raised eyebrows. While NASA has not provided specific reasons for these departures, they have coincided with the ongoing turmoil and budget cuts at the agency [1].

The budget cuts are expected to shift NASA's priorities from the moon to Mars, with a significant increase in funding for Mars-focused programs. The Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft programs, which were developed to return astronauts to the moon, are likely to be phased out by 2027. Instead, SpaceX's Starship rocket program is expected to replace these programs in the longer term [2].

The proposed cuts have also raised concerns among international partners, including the European Space Agency (ESA). ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher has emphasized the importance of cooperation in space activities and has called for an assessment of the impact of the proposed NASA budget cuts [3].

As NASA prepares for the workforce reduction, it remains to be seen how the agency will adapt to the changes and maintain its mission in the face of significant budget cuts. The exact number of employees expected to depart may change in the coming days and weeks, as NASA continues to assess the impact of the cuts and make adjustments as necessary.

References:
[1] https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/nasa-loses-another-senior-official-tension-grows-agencys-future-rcna220064
[2] https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20250725549456/quantum-computing-investigation-initiated-by-former-louisiana-attorney-general-kahn-swick-foti-llc-investigates-the-officers-and-directors-of-quantum-computing-inc-qubt
[3] https://www.dw.com/en/nasa-cuts-esa-in-talks-about-the-full-repercussions/a-72450356