The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to axe more than 2,100 high-ranking National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) employees, most of whom hold specialised technical roles or senior management positions. Internal documents obtained by Politico suggest the cuts are part of a broader effort to reduce the size of the federal government through early retirements, voluntary buyouts, and deferred resignations.
NASA is a United States government agency responsible for the civilian space program, aeronautics research, and space research. Founded on October 1, 1958, it was established in response to the Soviet Union’s Sputnik launch and the growing “Space Race”. Its mission is to explore the unknown, innovate for the benefit of humanity, and inspire the world through discovery.
Of the 2,145 roles on the chopping block, 1,818 are said to be embedded within NASA’s core mission sectors, including science and human spaceflight. The remainder work in mission support functions such as information technology. Critics warn that the proposed cuts would deprive the agency of decades of institutional knowledge and technical expertise.
In a statement to Reuters, agency spokesperson Bethany Stevens said, “NASA remains committed to our mission as we work within a more prioritised budget.”
However, the atmosphere within the US space agency has reportedly descended into chaos since Trump returned to office in January. The proposed fiscal year 2026 budget includes a sweeping 47% reduction in funding for NASA’s science programmes, threatening to cancel dozens of ongoing projects.
In response, seven former heads of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate have written a joint letter to Congress condemning the move. They urged the House Appropriations Committee to reject what they described as “unprecedented cuts” put forward by the White House’s Budget Director, Russ Vought.
“The economics of these proposed cuts ignore a fundamental truth: investments in NASA science have been and are a powerful driver of the US economy and technological leadership,” the letter read.
NASA achievements as evidence of the agency’s value
The former officials highlighted past NASA achievements as evidence of the agency’s value, citing missions that placed a car-sized rover on Mars with pinpoint precision, built and launched the James Webb Space Telescope, and developed spacecraft capable of withstanding the extreme temperatures of the Sun. These accomplishments, they argued, have not only advanced scientific understanding but also inspired generations and bolstered national pride.
Of particular concern is the potential geopolitical fallout. The letter warned that reduced funding could allow China to outpace the United States in the growing global space race. “The Chinese space science programme is aggressive, ambitious, and well-funded,” it noted, adding that China is pursuing missions to Mars, Neptune, and Earth-monitoring satellites aimed at climate research and industrial advancement.
The turbulence comes as NASA remains without a confirmed administrator. The Trump administration recently withdrew its nominee, billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman,.in what is widely viewed as political retaliation against Elon Musk. Isaacman, a close associate of Musk, had been expected to take the helm before the abrupt reversal.
In a social media tirade posted Sunday, Trump wrote: “I thought it would have been thought inappropriate that a very close friend of Elon, who was in the Space Business, run NASA, when NASA is such a big part of Elon’s corporate life.”
