NASA has begun a significant restructuring effort that will result in job cuts across key departments, including the closure of its Office of the Chief Scientist. The decision is part of a wider federal initiative to streamline government agencies and reduce operational costs.

In a memo addressed to employees on Monday, NASA’s acting director, Janet Petro, described the job reductions as a “phased reduction in force.” The move comes ahead of a looming deadline for federal agencies to submit workforce restructuring plans to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

While the agency has not disclosed the exact number of affected employees, it confirmed that multiple divisions will be impacted. In addition to closing the Office of the Chief Scientist, NASA will also shut down its Office of Technology, Policy and Strategy. The Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity will see a reduction in workforce, and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) branch within the department will be eliminated.

These workforce reductions align with a broader initiative launched by the federal government, aiming to scale back spending and improve efficiency. The restructuring plan follows a policy introduced on February 11 by former U.S. President Donald Trump and entrepreneur Elon Musk, who has been positioned as a key figure in the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. Under this initiative, all government agencies are required to submit detailed layoff plans.

"Our colleagues impacted by these changes have played a vital role in NASA’s progress," Petro stated in the memo. "We are grateful for their contributions and dedication to our mission."

The decision to dissolve the Office of the Chief Scientist marks a significant change in NASA’s research and innovation strategy, as the department has historically played a crucial role in shaping scientific priorities. Similarly, shutting down the Office of Technology, Policy and Strategy suggests a shift in how the agency approaches long-term planning and policy development. The reductions in diversity and inclusion programs also raise questions about NASA’s commitment to workforce representation and equality.

These changes come at a time when NASA is actively working on high-profile missions, including the Artemis program, which aims to send astronauts back to the Moon, and ongoing Mars exploration projects. Industry experts have voiced concerns that downsizing critical divisions could impact research efforts and delay scientific advancements.

With agencies across the government submitting layoff plans this week, the full extent of NASA’s workforce restructuring remains unclear. However, the coming months will determine how these cuts affect the agency’s goals and its position in global space exploration.