NASA is facing a rough orbit as about 10 percent of its nearly 18,000 civil servant workforce disappears by the end of today. The reduction comes through a combination of around 750 employees taking voluntary deferred resignations and roughly 1,000 probationary employees being let go—cuts that began during the second Trump administration. This controversial move, part of a larger strategy to trim what many see as budgetary bloat (especially in expensive projects like the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft), has left the agency with a cloud of uncertainty. With hints of further significant reductions in the pipeline, the enduring question is whether these quick fixes will position NASA for future success or hamper its ability to drive groundbreaking exploration in an increasingly competitive commercial space industry.

Key Points:

• NASA's workforce of nearly 18,000 civil servants is being reduced by about 10%.
• Approximately 750 employees opted for deferred resignation, while around 1,000 probationary employees were cut.
• The reductions began during the second Trump administration as part of a broader federal strategy.
• Cuts target both new hires and employees recently moving into new positions, impacting the agency's future talent pool.
• Critics argue that the move is aimed at redirecting funds towards other political priorities, with concerns over the impact on major NASA programs like the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft.
• Further reductions are possible, but any additional cuts remain subject to congressional budget negotiations.

Why did NASA cut its workforce? Because apparently, even space agencies aren't immune to the "gravity" of budget cuts!
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