At least 2,145 senior NASA employees (GS-13 to GS-15 ranks) are set to leave under early retirement and buyout offers, as part of broader efforts to reduce the federal workforce.

These departures make up most of the 2,694 civil servants who have agreed to leave so far and will significantly impact NASA’s technical and managerial expertise, particularly in science and human spaceflight.

The cuts come amid a proposed 25% White House budget reduction for 2026, which would slash over 5,000 NASA staff overall.

Key centers like Goddard, Johnson, Kennedy, and others face hundreds of losses each, Politico has reported.

Critics warn the exodus could undermine plans to return astronauts to the Moon by 2027 and later send them to Mars, while departing staff cite fears of budget cuts, leadership gaps, and private-sector opportunities drawing talent away.

Written by B.C. Begley