NASA, the world’s largest space agency, has begun layoffs at the direction of the US President Donald Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). These layoffs have led to the closure of several important offices, including the Office of the Chief Scientist and the Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy, according to a Reuters report.
On Monday, NASA informed its staff that it would begin reducing its workforce as part of a “broader governmentwide restructuring effort,” including eliminating the position of Chief Scientist. As part of the layoffs, which will impact 23 employees, NASA is removing the role of Chief Scientist held by Dr Kate Calvin and shutting down an office focused on space and technology policy, states the report.
According to Reuters, NASA’s acting administrator, Janet Petro, notified employees via email that the agency will be closing the Office of the Chief Scientist, the Office of Science, Policy, and Strategy, as well as the diversity, equity, and inclusion branch within the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity.
According to ANI, NASA’s decision is in line with a presidential executive order aimed at optimising federal agencies. The restructuring is being carried out in collaboration with the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
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Process Will Be Managed Carefully
“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,” the report said citing Administrator Janet Petro.
She stated that federal agencies were required to submit plans for workforce reductions (RIF) and restructuring, with NASA working closely with OPM to ensure compliance. Petro reassured that the process would be carefully managed, balancing statutory obligations with the need for organisational efficiency, states the report.
The announcement comes as NASA is in the midst of several ambitious projects, including the Artemis mission to return humans to the Moon.
This workforce restructuring is part of a broader initiative led by the administration, which has tasked government agencies with streamlining their operations. The effort follows a February 11 announcement by President Donald Trump and his billionaire advisor, Elon Musk, who has taken on the role of public face for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Their goal is to reduce government spending and cut costs.
