• Nearly 4,000 NASA employees have opted to leave via a deferred resignation program.
• The workforce reduction will decrease NASA's staff from about 18,000 to approximately 14,000.
• NASA faces a proposed budget cut of about 25% for fiscal year 2026.
• The resignations come amid leadership instability at the agency.
• Experts are concerned that the cuts may lead to a loss of vital talent and knowledge.

NASA is set to experience a major reduction in its workforce, with nearly 4,000 employees, or more than 20% of its total staff, applying to depart through a deferred resignation program initiated during the Trump administration. This move is part of a broader effort to streamline operations amid significant budget cuts and organizational changes, according to Reuters, CBS News, and South China Morning Post.

NASA is expected to downsize from around 18,000 employees to approximately 14,000, which includes about 500 workers lost to normal attrition, as cited by Anadolu Agency and NPR. NASA spokesperson Cheryl Warner emphasized the agency's commitment to safety and its goal to efficiently manage resources while pursuing deeper space exploration initiatives.

The agency's substantial layoffs coincide with a proposed 25% budget cut for fiscal year 2026, which would impact funding from approximately $24 billion to $18 billion, reports Dawn and NPR. This financial squeeze has raised alarms about the agency's capability to maintain its ambitious goals, including crewed missions to the Moon and Mars.

Increasing unrest around leadership within NASA also contributes to this turbulent transition, particularly after the withdrawal of Jared Isaacman's nomination to lead the agency. Current apprehensions about the future were echoed in letters from more than 300 employees, highlighting their concerns over "rapid and wasteful changes," as noted by Anadolu Agency and NPR.