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NASA is set to lose approximately 20% of its workforce, or around 3,900 employees, as part of former President Donald Trump's broader initiative to reduce the size of the federal government, even as his administration continues to prioritize ambitious plans for crewed missions to the Moon and Mars.
In a statement released via email late Friday, the U.S. space agency confirmed that roughly 3,000 employees opted into the second round of its Deferred Resignation Program. That figure follows the 870 who participated in the first round, alongside regular staff turnover, resulting in a significant reduction in NASA’s civil servant workforce, from more than 18,000 when Trump took office to about 14,000 today.
Employees taking part in the deferred resignation initiative will remain on administrative leave until their agreed-upon departure date. A NASA spokesperson noted the numbers may shift slightly in the coming weeks as final transitions are processed.
"Safety remains a top priority for our agency as we balance the need to become a more streamlined and efficient organization, while ensuring we remain fully capable of pursuing a golden era of exploration and innovation - including missions to the Moon and Mars," NASA said.
Despite the staffing cuts, the Trump administration's proposed NASA budget has continued to emphasize human spaceflight, particularly the Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon and eventually send humans to Mars. This focus has come at the expense of funding for science and climate research, which saw significant reductions under the proposed budget.
The White House has framed the renewed space race as a strategic competition with China, stating its desire to "beat China back to the Moon and put the first human on Mars." China has announced plans for its first crewed lunar landing by 2030, while the U.S. Artemis program has faced repeated delays.
Compounding the uncertainty, NASA remains without a confirmed administrator. The administration’s original nominee, tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman - backed by former Trump advisor Elon Musk - was ultimately rejected by the president himself, leaving the agency under the leadership of an acting chief.
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