Why nearly 4,000 NASA employees are set resign?
Nasa is poised to lose nearly 3,870 employees through a voluntary resignation initiative, part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to decrease the federal workforce. Nasa stated on July 25 that the figures, while substantial, are still provisional as the agency reviews applications and accounts for withdrawals or unapproved resignations.
The space agency confirmed that safety will continue to be a priority during its transition to a “more streamlined and efficient organisation.” “We are committed to maintaining a safe and capable agency while pursuing a new era of innovation and exploration, including missions to the Moon and Mars,” NASA stated. The voluntary resignation programme is an initiative that allows employees to choose to resign from their positions, typically in exchange for certain benefits or incentives.
The Deferred Resignation Programme (DRP) is an initiative that was introduced during the Trump administration. Nasa provides eligible employees with a structured exit path, including severance benefits and continued pay during a transitional period. The programme seeks to assist the agency in decreasing its workforce while avoiding mandatory layoffs. Nasa extended two opportunities for staff to participate in the DRP in 2025. The initial round occurred early in the Trump presidency, with approximately 870 employees—around 4.8 percent of the workforce—opting for voluntary exits. This initiative was part of a broader federal efficiency effort, reportedly overseen by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency.
The second round, initiated in June 2025, experienced a significantly stronger response. By the July 25 deadline, nearly 3,000 workers—about 16.4 percent of the workforce—had chosen to resign under the scheme. Nasa officials have asserted that the initiative aims to avert forced layoffs. “Our primary objective is to minimise involuntary workforce reductions,” stated former acting administrator Janet Petro at a town hall on June 25. Earlier this year, the agency sought a blanket waiver to protect employees in their probationary period from layoffs.
Experts caution about the potential for knowledge drain and the associated operational risks. The extent of the departures has caused concern among veterans and insiders in the space industry. Concerns are growing that the agency may lose specialized talent essential for its ambitious space missions, which include the exploration of the Moon and Mars. In a letter titled ‘The Voyager Declaration’, hundreds of current and former NASA staff urged interim administrator Sean Duffy—who also serves as head of the Department of Transportation—to reconsider the scale of the cuts. The letter cautioned that a significant loss of expertise might jeopardize the safety, innovation, and success of NASA’s future endeavors.
