NASA is in a state of shock due to the layoff of 20% of its employees
NASA employee layoffs 2025: The announcement that around 20% of NASA’s workforce is departing the organization during a significant change has caused a stir in the space scientific community. The Trump administration is actively pursuing the goal of reforming and reducing the number of government agencies at the time of this decision.
Under NASA’s delayed resignation policy, over 3,870 workers have asked to leave willingly thus far. This shift raises serious concerns about NASA’s long-term mission capacity, safety standards, and scientific knowledge; it is not only a statistic. Concern is evident both inside and among scientists, despite NASA’s claims that it is a move toward “a more efficient and modern organization.”
3,870 workers decided to say goodbye
A NASA representative said that around 3,870 workers had chosen to depart the agency so far under the delayed resignation program. This figure is not regarded as definitive, however. While some applications may be canceled, others are in the final stages. NASA anticipates that its employment will drop to around 14,000 civil workers after these resignations and natural retirements. Though internal conflict has already started over its effects, the agency has characterized it as a vital step towards becoming ‘a more efficient and contemporary organization.’
Danger to the safety of the mission?
“Safety is our top priority,” said NASA in its statement. In addition to improving our organization’s efficiency, we’re making sure that our capabilities for missions like the Moon and Mars are completely preserved. Nonetheless, a lot of experts and former workers think that the agency’s technical know-how, institutional knowledge, and mission preparations might be severely harmed by the departure of so many staff members.
Trump’s policies and Elon Musk’s involvement
Notably, this is the second significant layoff campaign since Trump retook the presidency. Approximately 870 workers departed the agency as part of a buyout agreement in the first wave. Under the leadership of Internet entrepreneur Elon Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency spearheaded the program. He has now left the Trump administration, however.
In the second cycle, which began in June 2025, 16.4% more employees—roughly 3,000 people—have entered the program. “Our goal is to eliminate the need for forced layoffs in the future,” said former NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro. An attempt is being made in that regard with this idea.
Collective protest by “Voyager Declaration” workers
In an open letter to NASA Interim Administrator Sean Duffy (who also serves as the secretary of the US Department of Transportation), hundreds of current and former NASA personnel have voiced their significant concerns. Thousands of NASA workers have already quit or taken early retirement. NASA’s long-term missions are seriously threatened by the fact that the knowledge and expertise that accompanied them will not return. NASA requested a general waiver in February 2025 to shield its probationary staff from layoffs; however, the many resignations that are now occurring have shown how ineffective these policies are.