It will get better. Eventually. NASA will need to follow a long, meandering path back first. Grok via NASAWatch.com
Keith’s note: Things are starting to look darker at NASA. The Supreme Court just gave the final, ultimate green light to the Administration to gut agencies – NASA – however they wish to do so. Its time to adapt to this new paradigm. It is gloomy now. But that will eventually pass. NASA’s best days lie ahead. (More below).
According to this CNBC article: “The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will allow the Trump administration to proceed with large-scale reductions in staff at many federal government agencies as opponents continue to seek to block those efforts in lower-court proceedings.” OK, so that really sucks.
There were not many things standing in the way of the Executive Orders and de facto cancellation plan embodied in the FY 2026 President’s Budget Request for NASA. Add in these new Supreme Court decisions that further limit lower court blocks on Administration actions, and there’s not much left to protect NASA employees from RIFs and layoffs. And of course contractor employees and external researchers who depend on NASA funds have even less protection. So here we are.
If you do not take a buyout by 25 July you are throwing your dice hoping not to be laid off or reassigned to another part of NASA. And if you survive your teammates will be gone. Again, contractor personnel and researchers are collateral damage. The Administration’s political management is filling out obedient senior ranks at NASA HQ. Center Directors, Associate Administrators, and Program Managers will soon make sudden departures as required loyalty to the new way of running a shrinking NASA asserts itself.
Once the dust settles – and the damage to NASA becomes clear – those of you who survived will be called upon to clean up the mess. I lost a dream job at NASA under similar albeit less brutal chaos – so I totally – viscerally – understand your situation. All of you are among the most gifted, energetic, imaginative, inspired, dedicated creative, and truly cosmic-minded team ever assembled – anywhere.
Wherever you are now – and wherever you end up – you’ll will quickly learn that ‘you may leave NASA – but NASA never leaves you’. Someday, after this nightmare passes, you’ll all show those who sought to ruin NASA just what NASA people can really do. There’s a vast universe to explore. NASA people have – and always will – lead the way.
Ad Astra to all of you.
Keith