NASA reduces staff by 20%
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced a reduction in staff by about 20% or nearly four thousand. This is reported by 'Glaicom' citing Reuters.
Nasa's spokesperson stated that about 3,870 people will be laid off, but this number may change 'in the coming days and weeks'. The remaining employees will total approximately 14,000 agency staff.
According to Bloomberg, these layoffs are part of an initiative by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to reduce the workforce in federal agencies.
'Safety remains the top priority for our Agency as we balance the need to become a more streamlined and efficient organization with the work to ensure our full capability to continue the 'golden era' of research and innovation, particularly on the Moon and Mars.'.
The attempt to save funds by laying off staff at NASA has sparked some discontent in the industry and within the Agency itself. Experts note that these decisions may lead to the loss of some of the most talented employees at NASA.
Additionally, during the mission on the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronaut Nicole Ayrs recorded a rare atmospheric phenomenon - sprites. This is reported by 'Glaicom' citing The New York Post.
Sprites are brief electrical discharges that occur in the upper layers of the atmosphere during thunderstorms. They are nearly impossible to notice from the Earth's surface, but they are visible from orbit and captivate with their beauty.
NASA has reduced its workforce by 20%, about 4,000 employees. The decision is partly linked to the initiative of President Trump's administration to cut workers in federal agencies. The response to such measures in the industry and among NASA employees will be crucial for the organization's further functioning.