NASA has lost about 500 people via normal attrition as well since Trump took office in January. Counting those losses, NASA's workforce will shrink to about 14,000 by Jan. 9, 2026, when the employees who said yes during the DRP's second phase will come off the rolls, Warner said in the statement.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is expected to cut at least 20 per cent of its workforce, in a second major staff cut to hit the US space agency under the Trump administration. This leaves the employee count at around 14,000.

In a sweeping move under the Trump administration’s directive to streamline federal agencies, NASA is set to lose nearly 3,870 employees through a voluntary resignation programme, raising concerns about talent drain and mission safety.