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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · 15d

Something that nobody has articulated not even at the rumor level is what GSFC plans to do with all that vacated space.

Maybe the new streamlined mission is to make money out of it somehow.

Reposted by NASAEarthWatch

NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · 18d

🧪🌎

#SaveNASA #NASAcuts #NASA

Ars Technica has some updates on the latest on NASA budget. See
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...

I highlight one part in relation to the Earth Science Budget.

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In a win for science, NASA told to use House budget as shutdown looms

The House budget still cuts science at NASA, but not as deeply as the White House sought.

arstechnica.com

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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · 18d

So, even if the Congress (more favorable) budget is adopted, it $1B less for Earth Science. This is just extinction level catastrophe. No way to find anything positive in this.

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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · 18d

🧪🌎

#SaveNASA #NASAcuts #NASA

Ars Technica has some updates on the latest on NASA budget. See
arstechnica.com/space/2025/0...

I highlight one part in relation to the Earth Science Budget.

1/2

In a win for science, NASA told to use House budget as shutdown looms

The House budget still cuts science at NASA, but not as deeply as the White House sought.

arstechnica.com

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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · 22d

I do not have any updates as of today.

I have no come across of anything that it is more than a rumor. It just creates false ideas and expectations.

One thing that I would share is that I was some exposed of the bureaucracy that my CS colleagues have to do and it made feel pity for them.

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Reposted by NASAEarthWatch

NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · Jun 14

Introduction

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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · 28d

I don't see civil servants claiming the end of the world is coming on September 30th as they were a month ago, but we contractors are clearly on a path to be significantly decimated in numbers very soon.
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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · 28d

In contrast, I haven't heard of any similar cuts or changes happening to civil servants.

Overall, the situation is pretty depressing. Despite all the talk about being "one big family," the facts speak for themselves.
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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · 28d

agreements will be terminated. This is easily done, as their contracts have termination clauses. I have already been officially told that my salary will be cut by 50% starting on October 1st (consistent with not-yet-approved WH budget).
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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · 28d

In what may or may not be related news, the director of one of the university cooperative agreements (which are a type of NASA-university contracting agreement) confirmed in a recent all-hands meeting that Goddard has informed them that if the current White House budget passes, these
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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · 28d

I experienced this myself when a manager from HQ promised me funds and then withdrew the offer for unexplained reasons, not clear if it was related to cover CS time but it coincided with the timing of the rumor above and similar situation experienced by colleagues.
6/10

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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · 28d

I've also heard rumors from multiple sources that a lot of the funding not being given to contractors is being rerouted to cover the remaining time of civil servants and potentially to pay those who took early retirement but are still receiving a salary through the end of the year.
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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · 28d

This is the minimum amount required to keep their benefits, and they are doing this to extend their time on the job. These cuts are happening through various methods, from not delivering promised funds to intentionally delaying them or simply not discussing 2026 funds.
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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · 28d

I can confirm that the contractor workforce is continuously being marginalized and quietly let go. I'm aware of many university contractors, who make up the largest portion of researchers at Goddard, taking a 50% salary reduction.
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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · 28d

Since then, I haven't heard of any additional departures. This has led me to wonder: why are we not seeing more departures? And why has the talk of RIFs among civil servants stopped? This is especially notable given that it was a subject of constant hallway discussion just a month ago.
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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · 28d

🧪#NASA #NASAcuts #SaveNASA
Observations on Recent Staffing Changes
It's been a while since I've posted, as I didn't have any new updates to share. However, I have a few observations.

It has been more than a month since the large wave of voluntary civil servant retirements.
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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · Sep 3

Some predictions on what to expect here in @nasawatch.bsky.social

Some speculation but based on historical agency knowledge.

Today there is a hearing in Congress relevant to NASA.

nasawatch.com/trumpspace/n...

NASA Forecast For September 2025

The month of September is going to be the hardest yet for NASA

nasawatch.com

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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · Aug 28

So, this is the environment we’re navigating now.

As we enter September and Congress resumes activity, we expect more clarity as early as next week.

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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · Aug 28

Because most civil servant scientists must fund themselves through their own projects, many were told they cannot use leftover project funds to cover their own salaries in 2026 (yes, this is a unique NASA feature on how CS personnel salaries are covered compared to other federal agencies).
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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · Aug 28

In my case, I know my salary will be cut by 50%. But my civil servant colleagues don’t know what to expect after that date. Some have been told their positions will likely be eliminated and replaced with new ones—not necessarily in their field of expertise—at the same or another center.
8/10

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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · Aug 28

The general gloominess is real. At least contractors have some clarity, and some know they’ll remain after Sept. 30. This is because NASA has authorized forward funding for contractors beyond that date. So there’s at least some certainty regarding timelines.
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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · Aug 28

This has left the agency scrambling to pay contractors during March–September, and as a result, contractors have left. This experience has severely damaged morale, because even if Congress approves a favorable budget, it’s unclear if that funding will reach NASA, given OMB’s behavior.
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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · Aug 28

Last March, Congress passed a continuing resolution with no major cuts to NASA. However, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), following directives from the Executive, has either withheld or severely delayed those 2025 funds to agencies, including NASA.
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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · Aug 28

This year, there are indications that Congress will again move to eliminate the cuts. But what’s unique this time is that the current administration is disregarding the funding directives approved by Congress. A good example is the current 2025 NASA budget.
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NASAEarthWatch @nasaearthwatch.bsky.social · Aug 28

The mood is one of gloom and doom. In past years, administrations have proposed severe cuts to Earth Science programs, and this year’s Proposed Budget Request (PBR) is no different. These cuts have typically been removed by Congress—generally with bipartisan agreement.
3/10

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