GAO Report: NASA's 22% Civilian Workforce Reduction Impacts Over 20 Major Projects

A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released July 23 found that 25 of 36 major NASA projects under development have been affected by the loss of 22% of the agency's civil servant workforce over the past year through deferred retirement programs, raising concerns about potential delays and cost overruns.

The GAO's assessment of NASA's major projects stated that "the civil servant departures have left NASA's workforce out of balance with NASA's programmatic needs."

Which Projects Were Hit Hardest?

The report detailed impacts across multiple science and exploration programs:

  • Orion lost 10% of its civil servants, with officials reporting "challenges in filling several key positions," though agency officials said mitigation steps were taken.
  • The Space Launch System (SLS) lost nearly 20% of its civil servant workforce, and the program is now considering adding workforce as a formal risk factor.
  • DAVINCI, a Venus mission led by Goddard Space Flight Center, lost key personnel while simultaneously facing the threat of cancellation in NASA's FY2026 budget request. The mission could not immediately replace personnel and had to revise risk-reduction activities.

Uneven Impact Across Centers

Goddard Space Flight Center was the hardest hit, losing 34% of its civil servants. NASA Headquarters experienced the smallest reduction at 11%. Other centers reported reductions between 16% and 28%.

The report warned that some centers "may be challenged to meet the workforce needs of the mission directorates" and may be unable to adequately staff all planned work.

Deferred Consequences

So far, staffing issues have not caused major cost or schedule problems. Since the GAO's previous assessment a year ago, only two programs experienced one-month schedule slips, while the IMAP space science mission launched three months early. The report did find $478.2 million in net cost overruns concentrated in the SLS Block 1B and Orion programs.

However, the report warned that the full impact of the workforce reductions may not yet be apparent. NASA's Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) told the GAO that "due to the gradual workforce reductions through January 2026, the impact of the reductions has not yet been fully realized across the agency."

NASA's Response

In February, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced plans to bring in new civil servants, primarily by converting existing contractors. The agency also launched "NASA Force," a partnership with the Office of Personnel Management to bring "high-impact technical talent" on temporary assignments.

But GAO noted that NASA officials said they would have "more clarity on their workforce plans" by late spring, and as of the report's release, no public updates have been provided.

Another uncertainty is NASA's FY2027 budget. If funded at the administration's requested level, the GAO warned it "could lead to further workforce reductions or possibly forestall planned hiring."

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