The NASA logo is seen at the entrance of the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images via CNN Newsource)
A group of 287 scientists and current or former NASA employees has raised serious concerns over the recent leadership and policy changes at the space agency. In a powerful open letter called “The Voyager Declaration,” they criticize drastic budget cuts, canceled grants, and a culture of silence that they believe may put astronaut safety at risk.
The declaration is addressed to Sean Duffy, NASA’s new acting administrator. Duffy, a former congressman and Trump ally, replaced longtime NASA official Janet Petro on July 9. The signatories include 156 anonymous voices and 131 public ones — with at least 55 still working at NASA.
Soon after the letter was published, Makenzie Lystrup, Director of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, resigned without providing a reason. In her farewell email, she expressed confidence in her deputy, Cynthia Simmons, who will serve as interim director.
“Rapid and Wasteful Changes” Raise Alarm
The letter accuses the new administration of rushing through major shifts at NASA without planning or caution. These changes, the authors say, have had a devastating effect on staff morale and could jeopardize missions.
One key concern is potential changes to NASA’s Technical Authority — a critical internal safety system born after the 2003 Columbia shuttle disaster, which killed seven astronauts. This system gives staff at all levels a way to raise safety concerns without going through their supervisors.
But now, officials suggest making it “more efficient.” Insiders warn that such tweaks could weaken the system’s purpose and put lives in danger, especially on human spaceflight missions.
A Culture Shift Under Trump-Era Influence
Several signatories, including Ella Kaplan, a contractor with NASA, said the agency's work culture has changed dramatically. She and others described feeling less safe, especially those from minority groups. Kaplan, part of the LGBTQ+ community, said she fears she could lose her job for speaking out but wanted to use her voice while she still could.
Under President Trump’s direction, NASA recently ended DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility) programs, removed pronouns from email signatures, and canceled employee groups supporting minorities. Many at NASA believe this not only harms workplace culture but weakens scientific progress.
Project Closures Despite Ongoing Support
The letter also blasts the Trump administration’s call to shut down NASA projects that still have Congressional support. Workers revealed that some closures have already begun — like the dismantling of a clean room critical to preparing instruments for space — even though Congress hasn’t cut funding.
Employees also report that over 3,000 staff members have taken voluntary exit offers, and more job cuts may follow. These workforce losses threaten to gut NASA’s capabilities, especially in space science.
The letter criticizes plans to defund global partnerships, including the Lunar Gateway project, a joint venture with Canada, Europe, Japan, and the UAE. Many see this as a waste of long-standing investments and a threat to America’s standing in space research.
The Bigger Picture: Fear, Silence, and Resistance
This open declaration is part of a broader movement within federal agencies. Workers at the National Institutes of Health and Environmental Protection Agency have also spoken out recently against political interference. Some of those voices were placed on leave as a result.
At NASA, those who signed the Voyager Declaration know there could be consequences. But they insist that staying silent is not an option. As one Goddard staff member said, “I’m in it for public service — and I want to return the investment taxpayers made in me.”
