NASA programs feel effects of workforce reductions - SpaceNews

What the report says

SpaceNews reports that a July 23 Government Accountability Office assessment found widespread effects from recent NASA workforce reductions, with 25 of 36 major projects in development saying they had been affected. The GAO said departures through deferred retirement programs reduced NASA’s civil servant workforce by 22% over the last year, leaving staffing “out of balance” with program needs and raising concerns about future delays and cost growth.

The report cited impacts across science and exploration work. Orion lost about 10% of its civil servants and reported difficulty filling key posts, while the Space Launch System program lost nearly 20% and is considering whether to formally track workforce as a program risk. DAVINCI, a Venus mission led by Goddard Space Flight Center, lost key personnel and adjusted risk-reduction work before later restoring staffing after receiving fiscal 2026 funding. Goddard was the hardest-hit NASA center, losing 34% of its civil servants; headquarters lost 11%, with other centers down 16% to 28%.

GAO said the reductions have not yet broadly shown up in cost and schedule metrics. Since last year’s review, only two programs slipped by one month each, while IMAP launched three months early. Net overruns totaled $478.2 million, mainly tied to SLS Block 1B and Orion. Still, NASA’s human capital office told GAO the full effects may not be clear until reductions continue through January 2026 and identified mission-critical skill gaps in engineering, IT and cybersecurity.

NASA has announced steps to rebuild capacity, including converting some contractors into civil servants and launching a temporary technical-talent effort called “NASA Force.” SpaceNews notes that funding remains uncertain, with proposed fiscal 2027 cuts potentially limiting hiring or causing further reductions.