WASHINGTON, USA – In a major shake-up, NASA has announced it will lose 20% of its workforce, with nearly 4,000 civil servants set to depart under a voluntary exit program. The decision marks the agency’s most significant downsizing since the Apollo era, raising serious concerns over the future of U.S. space missions.
The reduction, part of a broader federal initiative, aims to streamline operations but will impact several high-level positions, including technical and mission-critical roles. Experts warn the loss of experienced staff could hinder key projects like the Artemis lunar mission and the Mars Sample Return.
Former astronauts and senior scientists have voiced alarm in an open letter, warning the cuts threaten NASA’s safety standards, innovation pipeline, and global leadership in space exploration.
As pressure mounts, critics argue the restructuring could deepen NASA’s reliance on private contractors like SpaceX, potentially diluting its independent oversight role in shaping the future of space travel.
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