NASA plans to eliminate its chief scientist role and close an office dedicated to studying policy matters related to space and technology, leading to layoffs affecting 23 employees, the agency announced on Monday. Acting administrator Janet Petro informed staff via email that the Office of the Chief Scientist, the Office of Science, Policy, and Strategy, and the diversity, equity, and inclusion branch within the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity will be shut down. These changes are part of President Donald Trump’s government cost-cutting initiative. The layoffs include key figures such as NASA’s current chief scientist, Katherine Calvin, and chief technologist, A.C. Charania. The agency is working to implement the administration’s directives to reduce and reorganize its workforce. These decisions come as part of broader efforts to streamline government operations and have raised concerns among NASA employees.
