Reports indicate that approximately 2,145 senior-ranking NASA employees, primarily in GS-13 to GS-15 positions, are set to leave the agency as part of a voluntary workforce reduction program. These departures are not immediate resignations but involve early retirement packages, buyouts, and deferred resignations offered by NASA under pressure from the Trump administration to cut staff and budget.
The program allows employees to decide by July 25, 2025, with most separations expected to occur later, many by January 9, 2026. The total number of civil staff agreeing to leave is 2,694, with 2,145 being senior-level. These exits are spread across NASA’s centers, with significant numbers at Goddard (607), Johnson (366), and Kennedy (311).