NASA employees affected by the cuts are ‘probationary’ staff who were recently hired or moved into new positions. [Courtesy: NASA]
Key Takeaways:
NASA fired hundreds of "probationary" employees, a directive that came from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
These layoffs, combined with 750 employees accepting deferred resignations, will shrink NASA's workforce by approximately 10% since the beginning of 2025.
The Planetary Society condemned the firings as the largest involuntary workforce reduction since the Apollo program, warning of severe ramifications for the U.S. space economy.
Further job cuts may be impending, as a Reduction in Force (RIF) directive has appeared on NASA's website for various facilities.
Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.
