Nearly 4000 NASA employees choose to leave the agency through the deferred resignation program

NASA said on Saturday that nearly 4,000 NASA employees chose to leave the space agency through the delaying resignation program for the Trump administration.

Sherrill Warner, NASA spokeswoman, said in a joint statement with NPR, that these cuts reach an estimated 20 percent of NASA’s workforce, and the agency will reduce 18,000 to 14,000 employees. She said that the total number includes the loss of the agency, which is 500 other workers due to normal attrition.

Warner said during the second round of the program, which was closed at midnight on Friday, 3000 employees of the agency’s departure, in the wake of 870 employees who had left during the first round.

The resignation follows the Trump administration plan to reduce the federal workforce and implement the recommendations recommended by Ministry of Governmental efficiency (Doge).

NPR arrived at the White House for comment.

Warner said it is unclear whenever the full reduction of the workforce will become valid. NASA did not answer NPR questions about how the workforce discounts affect the agency.

The administration also suggested Reducing NASA budget. Fiscal year 2026 Budget request The publication in May would reduce the agency’s financing by about 24 percent (from about $ 25 billion to about 19 billion dollars. house and Senate They discuss recommendations that will continue to finance the agency about the current budget.

Regarding the financing that exceeds the next fiscal year, the agency recently obtained a batch – reflecting the previous retirement proposals from some NASA programs. Trump A single beautiful invoice work He signed the law earlier this month, allocating nearly $ 10 billion in additional financing for NASA until 2032, including support for Mars tasks and intends to return to the moon.

The reductions and changes proposed to the White House at the agency faced criticism from scientists and space organizations, including the Planetary Association, a non -profit institution led by Bill Nay, “The Science Guy”.

The organization said about the White House budget proposal in May: “The Planetary Association believes that a great nation deserves a large space program, which reflects our patriotism and serves the public interest.” "This proposal is not only limited – it rejects the activity of this promise, and undermines the rare opportunity that NASA provides to build unit at home and cooperate abroad through the American leadership."

On Monday, more than 300 current and former employees of NASA and sent a letter Known as "travel" For the Director of NASA temporary Sean Duffy, criticizes "Quick and wasted changes" In the agency that they say include discounts for software and research. They also urged Duffy not to implement the proposed cuts and said "They are not in the interest of NASA."

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