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NASA Employees Issue Scathing Declaration Against Agency Upheaval
Hundreds of NASA scientists and current and former employees have signed a declaration condemning recent budget cuts, grant cancellations, and what they call a “culture of organizational silence” at the agency, claiming these changes threaten astronaut safety.
The declaration, titled “The Voyager Declaration,” is addressed to Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy. It expresses deep concern over rapid and what the signatories deem wasteful changes implemented in the last six months, specifically citing potential alterations to NASA’s Technical Authority, a critical safety system established after the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.
This system allows employees to raise safety concerns outside their direct chain of command. Signatories worry that proposed changes to this system are motivated by budget cuts rather than safety improvements.
The release of the Voyager Declaration coincided with the abrupt resignation of Goddard Space Flight Center Director Makenzie Lystrup. While Lystrup offered no public reason for her departure, her resignation email praised her colleagues and made no mention of agency leadership.
NASA Press Secretary Bethany Stevens responded to the declaration by emphasizing the agency’s commitment to safety and stating that any reductions will protect safety-critical roles. Stevens also defended the proposed budget, citing President Trump’s proposed billions for NASA science and the need to prioritize missions.
The Voyager Declaration follows similar protests from employees at other federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency. Some EPA employees who signed a similar letter were placed on administrative leave.
Signatories of the NASA declaration acknowledge the risk of speaking out against the current administration but believe the potential consequences of silence are far greater. Ella Kaplan, a contractor at NASA and a signatory of the declaration, expressed concern about the changing culture at the agency and its impact on minority employees.
The declaration also criticizes the Trump administration’s directives to dismantle Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives at NASA, arguing that these initiatives contribute to a welcoming work environment and are crucial for sound scientific practice.
Furthermore, the declaration denounces the administration’s call to cancel congressionally-backed projects, calling the move wasteful and harmful to US scientific leadership. One NASA employee cited examples of facilities being shut down prematurely, despite ongoing tests and potential continued congressional funding.
Finally, the declaration raises concerns about proposed workforce cuts, including thousands of employees accepting deferred resignation offers.
The signatories argue that these policies jeopardize significant investments, undermine national security, and weaken NASA’s core mission. They urge Duffy to reconsider these changes and prioritize the long-term health and success of the agency.