Washington: At least 2,145 senior employees at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are set to leave following a policy of downsizing implemented by the Trump administration.

According to Thai News Agency, the US website POLITICO reported that these employees, who hold positions ranging from GS-13 to GS-15-the highest levels of civil service expertise in the United States-are among the 2,694 employees who have agreed to voluntarily resign from NASA. These individuals have been involved in critical missions, including those to send astronauts into space, as well as support roles in IT and finance across all 10 of NASA’s regional field centers.

In May, the US government released a draft of its 2026 budget request, covering the period from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. The proposal suggests a nearly 25 percent reduction in NASA’s budget from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion, along with a workforce reduction of 5,000 employees. If Congress approves the budget, NASA will operate with its smallest budget and workforce since the early 1960s.