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Express Tribune
11-03-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
NASA closes offices, cuts staff as part of Trump administration's cost-cutting measures
The NASA logo is seen at Kennedy Space Center ahead of the NASA/SpaceX launch of a commercial crew mission to the International Space Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S., April 16, 2021. PHOTO:REUTERS Listen to article NASA has confirmed the closure of three key offices and the elimination of 23 positions as part of an ongoing workforce reduction initiative under an executive order issued by the Trump administration. The affected offices include the Office of Chief Scientist, the Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy, and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) branch within the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. In a statement released on Monday, a NASA spokesperson explained that the layoffs are part of the agency's compliance with the Trump administration's directive to optimise government operations and reduce costs. "A small number of individuals received notification today they are part of NASA's reduction in force (RIF). Those employees may opt for Voluntary Early Retirement or complete the RIF process," the spokesperson said. The Office of Chief Scientist, which advises NASA's leadership on scientific programmes, and the Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy, which was created to provide evidence-based advice, have both been central to the agency's operations. The DEIA branch was responsible for advancing diversity and inclusion efforts across the agency. Katherine Calvin, NASA's current chief scientist, is among those impacted by the cuts. The position has been a central advisory role within NASA for decades, though it was temporarily eliminated between 2005 and 2011. NASA's acting administrator, Janet Petro, informed employees about the closures in an email on Monday, stating that the move aligns with the Trump administration's efforts to streamline the federal bureaucracy, including cuts to space-related departments. The agency's policy and diversity offices are the latest to be affected by these efforts, which have been driven in part by Elon Musk's advocacy for government efficiency. This restructuring follows a broader trend in federal agencies, with other departments such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also experiencing significant layoffs. Recently, 23 employees from NOAA's Office of Space Commerce were let go, though some were reinstated after pushback. Additionally, reports suggest the Trump administration plans to cut funding for NASA's science programmes by up to 50% in the next fiscal year, a move that could severely affect the agency's long-term research and exploration goals. NASA's future remains uncertain as more workforce reductions and changes are expected in the coming weeks. The upcoming budget request from the Trump administration will likely provide further insight into the future direction of the space agency.
Axios
10-03-2025
- Science
- Axios
NASA eliminates chief scientist role, other offices
NASA has cut its office of the chief scientist and its Office of Science, Policy, and Strategy, among other entities, the agency said in an internal email that Axios has viewed. Why it matters: Eliminating these offices comes ahead of potentially deep cuts to the agency's science programs. Katherine Calvin, a climate scientist, had the role of chief scientist. Questions have arisen about the fate of NASA science programs, particularly its Earth science work studying human-caused climate change. Calvin has also held the dual title of NASA's senior climate adviser. Zoom in: In the email, Acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro said the cuts were part of a "phased" reduction in force, or RIF. The reduction came in response to instructions from President Trump's executive orders and in conjunction with the Office of Personnel Management and Office of Management and Budget. Another office cut is the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility branch of the agency's Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. Around 20 people were affected by the cuts. NASA spokesperson Cheryl Warner told Axios: "To optimize our workforce, and in compliance with an Executive Order, NASA is beginning its phased approach to a reduction in force, known as a RIF." The spokesperson confirmed the offices that would be closed and their workforce let go. The intrigue: The NASA office of the chief scientist is responsible for providing "independent assessment and advice to the Administrator on matters related to NASA science," and leads the development of the agency's science strategy. The chief scientist also plays a top role in setting the agency's scientific integrity policies. The office of science, policy and strategy is home to NASA's chief technologist and chief economist, and was created in 2021 to provide evidence-based strategic advice to agency leadership. What they're saying: "Change of this magnitude is never easy, but our strength comes to our shared commitment to our mission and to each other," Petro wrote in the email. In a post on X, Harvard and Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics external relations lead Grant Tremblay sharply criticized the moves. "NASA is small, but it is arguably the most legendary and globally beloved agency in American history. Its gutting has begun, & the cuts to come are so massive that we won't recognize it in a year," he wrote. Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NASA lays off top scientist and deputies as it implements DOGE's job cuts that will see hundreds leave space agency
NASA has begun to conduct layoffs at the behest of the Trump administration and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. In an email sent out on Monday and shared on social media, Acting Administrator Janet Petro said the agency's reductions were phased and occur in advance of a reorganization plan. 'We will close NASA's Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy, the Office of the Chief Scientist, and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility branch in the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity, along with reducing their workforce,' said Petro. She said that those who had been impacted by the changes were 'valued members' of NASA, recognizing that their work had helped contribute to recent successes. 'I know this news is difficult and may affect us all differently. Change of this magnitude is never easy, but our strength comes from our shared commitment to our mission and each other. I remain grateful for your professionalism and resilience, and I encourage you to support one another as we move forward. Embrace the Challenge,' she said. Reaction to the decisions began to pour in on social media. 'These are talented people who believe in the job they are doing, and firing them is absolutely NOT the way to help our country,' Johns Hopkins University Assistant Professor Dr. Meredith MacGregor wrote on the platform BlueSky. 'NASA is small, but it is arguably the most legendary and globally beloved agency in American history. Its gutting has begun, and the cuts to come are so massive that we won't recognize it in a year,' Dr. Grant Tremblay, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, said on X. 'Many of these cuts are likely to be essentially irreversible, point of no return...' The agency is made up of just under 180,000 employees. Last month, the White House is believed to have made a last-minute decision to pause mass layoffs at NASA. This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
