Fact Check: NASA's budget cuts will lead to the smallest workforce since the early 1960s.

Fact Check: "NASA's budget cuts will lead to the smallest workforce since the early 1960s."

What We Know

Recent budget proposals for NASA indicate significant cuts that could drastically reduce the agency's workforce. The proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 suggests a reduction in funding from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion, which would be the lowest level of funding for NASA in decades when adjusted for inflation (The Economist). This budget plan includes cuts to various sectors, particularly the science and technology budgets, which would be halved (NASA Looking at Organizational Change).

As a result of these cuts, NASA's workforce is projected to shrink from approximately 17,391 full-time equivalents (FTEs) to around 11,853 FTEs by October 1, 2026, representing a reduction of nearly one-third of its staff (NASA's disastrous 2026 budget proposal). This would indeed mark the smallest workforce NASA has seen since the early 1960s, a period characterized by the agency's initial establishment and the early Apollo program (Politico, NASA Unveils Controversial 2026 Budget Proposal).

Analysis

The claim that NASA's budget cuts will lead to the smallest workforce since the early 1960s is supported by multiple credible sources. The Politico article explicitly states that if the proposed cuts are enacted, NASA would operate with its smallest budget and staff since that era. Furthermore, the Planetary Society corroborates this by stating that the workforce reduction would be the most significant since fiscal year 1960.

However, it is essential to consider the context of these cuts. The proposed budget cuts are part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration, which has faced criticism for potentially undermining NASA's capabilities in space exploration and scientific research (NASA Looking at Organizational Change). The reliability of the sources is generally high, as they include established news outlets and specialized space policy organizations. However, it is crucial to note that the final outcome depends on congressional approval, which could alter the proposed cuts significantly.

Conclusion

The claim that "NASA's budget cuts will lead to the smallest workforce since the early 1960s" is Partially True. While the proposed budget cuts indeed suggest a drastic reduction in workforce that aligns with historical lows, the final implementation of these cuts is contingent upon congressional action, which could modify the extent of the workforce reduction. Therefore, while the claim is accurate based on current proposals, the actual outcome may vary.

Fact Check: NASA's budget cuts will lead to the smallest workforce since the early 1960s.