A Wave of Mass Resignations is Hitting NASA with Nearly 20% of its Workforce Leaving Amid Efforts to Streamline Operations

In a major restructuring effort aligned with the Trump administration’s agenda to streamline federal agencies, NASA is set to lose nearly 4,000 employees—about 20% of its workforce—through a voluntary resignation program, raising serious concerns about the agency’s operational readiness and future. According to Bloomberg, around 3,870 staff have submitted applications to leave, and once finalized, the civil servant base could shrink to approximately 14,000 employees—marking one of the largest voluntary workforce reductions in NASA’s history.

NASA maintains that the downsizing will enhance efficiency and allow it to stay focused on key missions, assuring that safety remains a top priority. In an official statement, the agency said the restructuring is part of its broader goal to support an ambitious era of exploration, including missions to the Moon and Mars: “More efficient organisation and work will ensure we remain fully capable of pursuing a Golden Era of exploration and innovation.”

Former acting administrator Janet Petro clarified during a June town hall that the voluntary program is designed to avoid forced layoffs. “The reason we are doing this is to minimise any involuntary workforce reductions. That is our whole goal,” she stated.

The resignations come amid growing concerns over potential federal budget cuts that could severely impact NASA’s scientific programs. Internal projections suggest these cuts may hinder research and significantly reduce the agency’s capabilities. Politico recently reported that over 2,000 senior NASA employees have already agreed to leave.

On July 21, a coalition of current and former NASA staff released an open letter to Interim Administrator Sean Duffy, calling on leadership to oppose the proposed funding reductions. Widely circulated in academic and aerospace circles, the letter warned that such cuts “threaten to waste public resources, compromise human safety, weaken national security, and undermine the core NASA mission.”

According to MSN News.