The Trump administration's decision to close two NASA offices risks increasing space exploration costs and handing Elon Musk more sway over the agency, according to fired workers. The Office of Technology, Policy and Strategy and the Office of the Chief Scientist are set to shut down as part of broader cuts.
These offices provided independent analysis on key investments and strategies. Employees warn their closure undermines crewed missions to the Moon and Mars, raising conflict-of-interest concerns over Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency while remaining CEO of SpaceX, NASA's largest private contractor.
About 20 staff are affected, with their last day on 10 April. Typically, federal workers receive 60 days' notice, but NASA cited an urgent need to comply with a Trump executive order to cut this to 30 days. Meanwhile, Trump has nominated Jared Isaacman, a SpaceX investor and Musk ally, to become NASA's next administrator.
NASA's acting administrator, Janet Petro, appointed by Trump in January, named longtime SpaceX employee Michael Altenhofen as senior adviser. A senior official, speaking anonymously, said the cuts are "hurting NASA long term" and that "the most independent and unbiased views" came from the closed offices. A terminated employee argued the decision was shortsighted, warning that costs would rise without the offices' strategic analysis.
