In October 2025, NASA faced its biggest crisis in decades. The agency began winding down operations at the Goddard Space Flight Center, sparking employee protests and accusations of violating the law. The reason was an attempt to implement massive budget cuts even before they were approved by Congress. The decision, explained as a need for “optimization,” has turned into a conflict that threatens dozens of scientific missions and the United States’ reputation as a leader in space and science, according to Space.com.

The essence of the conflict
Donald Trump’s administration proposed cutting NASA’s 2026 budget by 24%, and funding for scientific programs by almost half—47%. This would be the largest reduction since 1961. Forty-one scientific missions are at risk, including the famous New Horizons (Pluto exploration) and the Chandra Observatory, which studies black holes.

Many experts and members of the scientific community note that such measures are not merely cost-saving, but effectively destroy long-term investments worth billions of dollars and devalue decades of research.

Premature actions — legality in question
The main outrage stems from the fact that NASA began implementing the cuts before the budget had been officially approved by Congress. According to lawyers and labor unions, such actions violate federal law. Employees were dismissed with minimal notice, and facilities were closed without proper procedure.

Unions have already filed lawsuits, claiming that workers’ rights have been violated. Inside the agency, anxiety and distrust toward management are growing, and the situation risks escalating into a prolonged legal conflict, Reuters reports.

Management crisis and loss of personnel
Alongside budget cuts, NASA has undergone major personnel changes. After new executives from military and private sectors were appointed, remote work programs and diversity initiatives were canceled. As a result, dozens of experienced scientists and engineers left the agency, and those who remain warn of risks to spacecraft safety. Experts note that lost expertise cannot be restored quickly: training specialists takes years, while scientific mission cycles last decades, Space.com reports.

Political and strategic context
The administration’s new budget policy prioritizes funding for defense and lunar-related programs such as Artemis, while civilian science has been pushed to the margins. Many observers warn that abandoning fundamental research could lead to a long-term loss of U.S. leadership in space and science, especially amid the rapid expansion of China’s space program, according to the Institute of GeoEconomics.

Public and legislative reaction
NASA employees, prominent scientists, and astronauts have organized mass protests against the cuts. Congress, for its part, is trying to maintain funding at previous levels but fears the administration may use bureaucratic means to block its decisions. Senator Maria Cantwell stated that NASA’s leadership actions are “illegal” and violate the constitutional powers of Congress.

Consequences for science and technology
The budget cuts are already affecting NASA’s partnerships with universities and private research centers. The closure of the Climate Research Center, including Goddard’s laboratories, undermines international climate monitoring and cooperation in this field.

If the process continues, the United States risks losing not only its scientific but also its technological superiority, becoming hostage to short-term political decisions, Jalopnik reports.