Keith’s note: this was just issued by NASA HQ: “NASA’s Deferred Resignation Program, Voluntary Early Retirement Authority, and Voluntary Separation Incentive Program are closing at 11:59 p.m. EDT Friday. Safety remains a top priority for our agency as we balance the need to become a more streamlined and more efficient organization and work to ensure we remain fully capable of pursuing a Golden Era of exploration and innovation, including to the Moon and Mars. Numbers are as follows:

• Deferred Resignation Program #1: about 4.8% of the workforce (about 870 individuals)
• Deferred Resignation Program #2 (including VERA and VSIP, in addition to DRP): about 16.4% of the workforce, approximately 3,000 employees
• NASA’s expected remaining civil servant workforce following both DRP programs, as well as normal attrition (about 500) over the same time period: about 14,000
• As more official information becomes available, we anticipate answering more of your questions.

Keith’s note: this went out to everyone at NASA. You’d think that a former TV guy could read the room a little better i.e. “deeply personal and often difficult decisions”. — “Dear Team, Thank you to all who took the time to thoughtfully consider NASA’s voluntary resignation programs. I know these are deeply personal and often difficult decisions. To those who have chosen to depart, I want to express my sincere appreciation for your service. Your work has helped shape NASA’s extraordinary legacy of discovery and innovation. Whether you are continuing the journey here or taking your next step beyond, your contributions will always be part of the foundation we build on. Thank you for all you’ve done – for NASA, for your teams, and for the mission we’ve shared. Sean Duffy Acting NASA Administrator”.

Keith’s note: the following memo went out to NASA employees today from Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO):

Keith’s note: according to a LaRC participant: “The overall sentiment was one of transparency, sharing information as it comes, and empathy. The Center Director has been proactive communicating when information is available. And has shared multiple resources for the LaRC employees. While I’m only one of a few thousand, I personally feel the Center Director cares deeply about the group and is doing her best to try and help LaRC as we try to survive this absolute shit show.” Details below.

Keith’s note: the following memo updated 9 July 2025 is circulating around the KSC community and has official management answers to questions about DRP, RIFs etc. Full memo below.

Keith’s note: In what will soon become commonplace another valuable and valued employee is leaving NASA: Ronald Gamble, Jr, Ph.D., a Theoretical Astrophysicist in the Astrophysics Science Division at NASA GSFC. He posted this on LinkedIn: “An amazing thing happens when you pursue a dream and achieve it — you transform. It is a metamorphosis that forever changes you. These last four years at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and The University of Maryland have been the most transformative and invigorating time in my career and I will never forget the work and connections I’ve made.” (more below)

Keith’s note: the pace at which people are leaving NASA is going up. People with 25 years like Edward Gonzales are bidding farewell. I have seen many notes from folks but this one he posted on LinkedIn just stopped me in my tracks. Reposted here with his permission. AdAstra Eddie from NASA. Full post below.

Keith’s note: Here’s a snapshot of where things stand in the DRP (Deferred Resignation Program) arena: Over 2,600 NASA employees have taken the deal so far and the window doesn’t even close until 25 July. In addition, there are another 350 or non-DRP departures scheduled. Add that up and you have over 17% of the NASA workforce planning imminent departure. Over 70 SES employees are leaving – that includes Human Resource directors, the CIO, and the CISO. Center Directors are also planning departures. NASA is going to be at the lowest level of employees since it was founded. At this rate an agency-wide RIF may not be needed but focused RIFs at centers may still be called for. People without options are staying behind risking RIF exposure with an increasingly bad job market. Back at NASA, with large gaping holes in expertise at forming, you have to know that reassignments and relocations are going to be required to “re-balance” things. Of course the contractor workforce gets doubly screwed since they have no real protections. University researchers will be left high and dry. And you can forget about nurturing the pipeline of next generation space scientists and engineers. This is not making space great again. Rather, it is NASA being taken off of the playing field while other nations ramp up and reach for the prize.

Keith’s note: I get this on my watch multiple times a day. My heart sinks each time. When people at NASA hear you say “Embrace The Challenge” Janet, they do. They quit.