NASA employees affected by the cuts are ‘probationary’ staff who were recently hired or moved into new positions. [Courtesy: NASA]
Key Takeaways:
NASA has fired nearly 1,000 probationary employees, a directive reportedly from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Combined with an additional 750 employees accepting deferred resignations, NASA's workforce is set to shrink by close to 10% since the beginning of 2025.
Advocacy groups condemn these firings as the largest involuntary reduction since the Apollo program, warning of severe ramifications for NASA's future and the U.S. space economy.
More workforce reductions may be forthcoming, as indicated by a recent directive detailing a reduction in force (RIF) across NASA 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.
