“Dear ASGSR (American Society for Gravitational and Space Research) Members and Friends, As you may have heard, the President’s Budget Request (PBR) was recently released and includes severe cuts to NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. More specifically, NASA’s Biological and Physical Sciences Division (BPS), which funds a lot of our research, faces a draconian 72% reduction in funds from $87.5M to just $25M. This budget includes only $13M for Physical Sciences research, $4M for Space Biology, and $4M for the CERISS initiative.” More

Keith’s note: Sources report that Consolidated Operations, Management, Engineering and Test (COMET) contract management at NASA Kennedy sent an email out saying that they’re going to RIF the COMET personnel who support ISS. Letter to employees below:

Keith’s note: HLS program manager Lisa Watson-Morgan is retiring at the end of the month – via an email to the HLS work force.

Keith’s note: I just posted this on Twitter. Some organizations need to get over themselves and shoulder in for the cause and not try a solo savior act. If y’all cannot get together on this then you have no right to expect that anyone else will. “If all you space/science organizations would simply follow and crosspost each other’s stuff there’d be enhanced awareness on everyone’s part WRT science funding legal cases, congressional visits, briefings, etc. No one organization or their associated celebrities is going to save the day or make a diving catch. United we stand … Just sayin’ @ExplorePlanets @AGU @NSS @csf_space @AIAA @AAS_Office @csf_space @aaas @AIP_HQ @SETIInstitute @XploreDeepSpace @WomeninAero @PGSFellowship @owensfellowship @SpaceFrontier @astrosociety @NASA“

Keith’s note: This was posted on linkedIn by Bruce Adams: “Chief Director John Haas left this world on June 7 2025, after a valiant fight against Cancer. From a young gun from Texas A&M to Chief Director at the Sonny Carter Astronaut Training Facility / NBL. John always brought his A-GAME in all his endeavors. He was the the lead designer for the Shuttle RMS and later ISS remote manipulator arm in the manufacture and operation of the 1g titanium arm used here at the NBL, where it still performs flawlessly as it has for 28 yrs. His machine shop mechanical prowess was second to none. His candor and spirit never flayed or bent even in the face of death. He will be greatly missed, but he suffers no more. It was a blessing to have worked and grow up with him over the years. NASA has lost a true pioneer in the world of Space Exploration. GOD BLESS ya Johnny” Ad Astra

Keith’s note: this “KSC Updates On Workforce Transformation” was sent to NASA KSC Employees: “As our Acting Administrator, Janet, has shared, our Agency and Center are supporting important and ambitious work, and we are committed to carrying out the President’s vision for maintaining American leadership in space. That vision establishes a new set of priorities, goals, and resources for the Agency.” (more below)

Keith’s note: this memo was sent to NASA GRC employees: “As many of you have seen by now, in an email this afternoon, Acting Administrator Janet Petro announced the agency’s plan to offer eligible employees an opportunity to participate in a new NASA Deferred Resignation program (DRP), Voluntary Early Retirement (VERA), and/or Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP). (more below)

Keith’s note: Another goofy ‘let’s move NASA HQ to my state’ letter. Sen. Rick Scott wants NASA HQ to move to Florida. Sen. Ted Cruz wants to move it to Texas. Sen.Tommy Tuberville wants it in Alabama. And so on. The lobbyists will simply set up new offices, the Washington political environment will be replaced with Red State local political environment. The only solution is to have a three way cage match between Ted Cruz, Rick Scott, and Coach Tommy Tuberville. Text of letter below:

Keith’s note: NASA Headquarters has decided to postpone this event. This notice was sent out this morning. “The NASA Science Community Meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 12 has been postponed, allowing time for all NASA Mission Directorates to brief internal staff and hold discussions on the FY26 President’s Budget Request. NASA has posted information and updates related to the FY26 President’s Budget Request here. NASA is in the process of having leaders at Centers and Mission Directorates brief their employees internally on the proposed budget. SMD has already engaged with the headquarters staff and staff located at field centers, and will continue to engage with more field centers in support of the science mission.” (More below)

Keith’s note: NASA is consolidating social media accounts (yes this was needed). The FY 2026 NASA Budget Request from the White House eliminates STEM funding, removes all public affairs staff at the field centers, cuts NASA HQ PAO staff, and reduces the overall communications and outreach budgets. And of course diversity, equity, and inclusion is now a forbidden concept. So where is the plan that NASA is following in order to do all of this? Is there a plan for this at NASA? Or does NASA just have a concept of a plan? One would assume that all of these dramatic changes to the public face of NASA are being done according to some overall guidance – yes? What follows are some random questions off the top of my head about the effective education and public outreach and engagement plan that the world’s pre-eminent space agency would need in order to continue to lead the way – and also expand that lead. Or maybe they don’t actually care to have a plan. Or know how. (More below)

11 June UDPATE: NASA Headquarters has decided to delay this event. This notice was sent out this morning.

NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) will hold a virtual community meeting with Associate Administrator Nicky Fox and her leadership team at 12:00 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, June 12th. Members of SMD, the science community, academia, the media, and the public are invited to participate by joining using the WebEx link below. (More details below)

Keith’s note: NASA Sources report that OCOMM – NASA Office of Communications – employees are saying that at least 60% of their staff need to take advantage of a NASA Deferred Resignation Program (DRP), Voluntary Early Retirement (VERA), and/or Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP) to leave the agency and do so by the deadline. Otherwise there is going to be an involuntary RIF beginning in August. NASA is moving ahead with implementing the implications of the White House FY 2026 NASA Budget Request (detail below) even before Congress has a chance to take up the budget. All positions at field centers are being eliminated and NASA HQ will go from 39.9 to 33.8 FTE overall the agency will go from 76.2 FTE to 33.8 FTE. (FTE Chart below). Even though this would seem like jumping the shark (no budget in place) the folks running NASA have been told that organizational changes and efficiency actions such as this are simply following various Executive Order directives and would be happening anyway regardless of where the FY 2026 budget lands.

Keith’s note: According to a Mon 6/9/2025 3:24 PM email from Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) “NASA’s new Deferred Resignation Program, plus VERA and VSIP offerings”: “Per the Acting Administrator’s email, “New NASA DRP Opportunity,” all NASA employees are eligible to apply for the new NASA Deferred Resignation Program (DRP). Employees may also be eligible to participate in a voluntary separation incentive payment (VSIP) and/or voluntary early retirement (VERA). Participation in the DRP, VERA, or VSIP is voluntary. The application window for DRP, VERA, and VSIP is open now and will close on July 25, 2025, 11:59 p.m. ET. No applications for these programs will be accepted after the window closes.” (More below)

Keith’s note: Here is the NASA Supplemental Information for Age Discrimination in Employment Act (original PDF below). “NASA is offering a Deferred Resignation Program (DRP), from June 9, 2025, through July 25, 2025. Under this program, eligible employees will be offered a chance to receive certain benefits in exchange for a waiver of rights. Those benefits and waivers are described in the Deferred Resignation Program waiver agreement. NASA is providing employees over the age of 40 the following information in accordance with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.” (More below)

Keith’s note: Here is the Final Separation Agreement Version: June 5, 2025 (original PDF below). Note that I added [LARGE EMPTY WHITE SPACE FOR DATE] where there is a long blank space where presumably a date is to be inserted. (More below)

Keith’s note: this went out to NASA employees today. You can jump or risk being pushed out of the airlock. Your choice. As always, Embrace the Challenge: “NASA has been preparing for a significant organizational realignment and restructuring under its Workforce Optimization Plan, which will build a leaner, more agile organization – one that streamlines management layers, capitalizes on efficiencies, and ensures every part of NASA is contributing directly to the mission we’ve been called to carry out. (more below)

Keith’s Note: Jared Isaacman just tweeted this. “Spent the last few months assembling a pretty extensive plan—shaped by insights from a lot of smart, passionate people. No shortage of input—everyone loves NASA and wants to help. Maybe I will write an op-ed someday—but I didn’t love being inundated with plans from people who thought they were uniquely NASA’s savior—and I have little interest in doing the same. (more below)

Keith’s note: NASA PAO just sent this out: “NASA is continuing its phased approach to streamline its workforce and reduce its overall headcount. All NASA civil servants received notification Monday the agency is offering a Deferred Resignation Program, Voluntary Early Retirement Authority, and/or Voluntary Separation Incentive Program. This affords employees the opportunity to depart while ensuring the agency remains fully capable to pursue its mission. Eligibility for these programs will vary depending on each employee’s individual situation.”

Keith’s note: this memo was on Friday to NASA LaRC employees: “Colleagues, In today’s weekly update, Acting Administrator Janet Petro shared that the Agency will soon offer voluntary separation tools, including a new Deferred Resignation Program (DRP), to eligible civil servant employees. Additional information will be shared on Monday, June 9, so please be on the lookout for an email to learn more.” (more below)

Keith’s note: Looks like the folks in Cleveland are taking a stand. There will be a Stop the NASA Budget Cuts Protest on Saturday, 21 June. “Thanks for RSVPing for our protest to stop the NASA budget cuts. NASA Glenn is facing a 40% workforce cut if Trump’s planned FY26 budget goes through, which means 500 career civil servants in the Cleveland area are facing layoffs. We need to show the NASA Glenn staff that we support them and we oppose these cuts!! Please don’t forget to invite your friends, family and colleagues if they’re as ready as you are to stand up and fight back for science this summer and beyond.” They are making Janet Petro’s advice and are going to Embrace The Challenge – of losing their jobs at NASA.