NASA announced on Monday that it is eliminating its chief scientist role and shutting down an office focused on policy matters related to space and technology. These changes will result in the layoff of 23 employees. Janet Petro, NASA’s acting administrator, informed employees 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 closed. This decision is part of President Donald Trump’s initiative to reduce government costs. Among those affected by the layoffs are NASA’s current chief scientist, Katherine Calvin, and chief technologist, A.C. Charania. The agency has been working to implement Trump’s executive order aimed at streamlining government agencies. These changes are part of a broader effort to reorganize and reduce the federal workforce. NASA’s policy, diversity, and science offices are not the only space-focused units impacted by these initiatives; similar actions have been taken in other organizations as well.
