NASA Restructuring Announcement
NASA plans to close three departments as part of a wider reduction in force, according to an email reviewed by Business Insider. The agency has started its restructuring efforts, and a spokesperson confirmed that 23 employees were let go on Monday.
Details of the Department Closures
The departments set to be closed include:
- Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy
- Office of the Chief Scientist
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility branch of the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity
This announcement was made in an email sent to NASA employees from the agency’s acting administrator, Janet Petro. A current employee expressed concern, stating, “NASA’s Office of the Chief Scientist is tasked with ensuring that all the Agency’s scientific endeavors align with the Administration’s goals. Eliminating the office sends a chilling message that NASA’s scientists aren’t part of the nation’s goals.”
Executive Orders and Changes
Petro noted that these changes are in alignment with President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at implementing workplace restructuring in the White House. In her email, she emphasized the importance of this effort: “While this will mean making difficult adjustments, we’re viewing this as an opportunity to reshape our workforce, ensuring we are doing what is statutorily required of us, while also providing American citizens with an efficient and effective agency.”
Uncertainty for Affected Employees
It remains unclear whether all employees in the affected departments were terminated, or if any will be reassigned within NASA. According to a NASA spokesperson, a “small number of individuals received notification Monday they are a part of NASA’s RIF. If they’re eligible, those employees may opt to participate in the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA), or complete the RIF process.”
