Mass Layoffs in Process at NASA Nationwide: Lowest Budget Since 1961
NASA's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request represents an overall 24 percent funding reduction, reports The Washington Post. It is the smallest budget request for NASA's civil space program since 1961, adjusted for inflation, according to The Planetary Society. Employee layoffs are proceeding under presidential executive orders without Congressional budget approval.
NASA's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request is cutting NASA's total science budget by nearly 50%, affecting many planetary and Earth science missions. These funding reductions will result in the cancellation of 19 active science missions (e.g., JUNO, New Horizons, Mars Express, Mars MAVEN, Mars Sample Return) and end several planned ones deemed crucial by the National Academy of Sciences, including Venus missions, and those involving partnerships with international space agencies.
NASA activities related to education, including its science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs are canceled.
NASA is deleting most of its social media accounts (including popular ones with millions of followers) and closing all public affairs offices at its 9+ field centers nationwide. NASA's overall communications budget will be reduced around 45% in total. Furthermore, NASA's headquarters may be moved from Washington, DC, while having the public affairs/social media budget reduced at its headquarters by ~15%. This means NASA will be far less able to inform taxpayers about its work on behalf of the American people and the scientific community as a civilian space agency.
https://www.nasa.gov/fy-2026-budget-request/
Contact your representatives in the United States Congress, House and Senate, to express your concerns about NASA's severe budget cuts: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials/
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