Washington, D.C. (February 12, 2025) – NASA’s acting administrator Janet Petro announced that Elon Musk’s government efficiency panel, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), will examine the space agency’s spending. This move comes as hundreds of NASA employees have accepted a government buyout proposal under the Trump administration.
Key Points of the Announcement
- Examination of NASA’s Spending:
- Ms. Petro, previously the head of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, stated that DOGE will review NASA’s payments and expenditures, similar to its actions in other agencies.
- Buyout Plan:
- When asked about the number of NASA employees who accepted the buyout plan, Ms. Petro confirmed it was “hundreds.”
- Potential Conflicts of Interest:
- Concerns have been raised about potential conflicts of interest due to Musk’s leadership of DOGE. Ms. Petro assured that NASA has strict conflict of interest policies and that the agency’s legal office would vet any DOGE employee for such conflicts.
SpaceX Contracts and Budget Concerns
SpaceX, founded by Musk, has approximately $15 billion in contracts with NASA, primarily for missions involving the International Space Station and lunar landings using the Starship vehicle. Despite these contracts, DOGE’s efforts to slash federal spending have caused significant disruptions within the federal bureaucracy.
Impact on NASA’s Programs
A small group of Trump administration officials has already begun examining NASA’s various science and space mission programs, which constitute the agency’s $24 billion annual budget. Ms. Petro has been tasked with implementing President Trump’s executive orders aimed at eliminating government diversity programs.
Future of NASA’s Space Programs
The future of NASA’s flagship space program to land humans on the moon is uncertain, as Musk and Trump have expressed interest in potential missions to Mars. The Space Launch System (SLS), NASA’s over-budget moon rocket, is seen as a potential cost-cutting target for DOGE. However, the rocket’s workforce in Republican-majority states complicates this goal.
As NASA navigates these challenges, the agency’s leadership is working to adapt to the new directives and ensure the continuation of its critical missions.