More than 20% of NASA’s workforce requests to leave agency

Nearly 4,000 NASA employees, over 20% of its workforce, have applied for the agency’s deferred resignation program, which aims to reduce personnel from 18,000 to 14,000 amid a proposed 25% funding cut for fiscal year 2026. The agency is also facing leadership turmoil following the withdrawal of billionaire Jared Isaacman’s nomination for NASA administrator and the appointment of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as interim leader.

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