The Trump administration is radically changing the course of the space agency, reorienting it from scientific research to reconnaissance and security functions, sparking a wave of protests among scientists. At the end of August, the administration of former US President Donald Trump issued a decree that radically changes the status of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). According to the document, from now on, the agency’s main task will be “intelligence, counterintelligence, investigation, and national security.” This change effectively transforms one of the world’s most renowned scientific institutions into a structure similar to intelligence services.
A historic change of course
For NASA, which has focused on space exploration, aeronautics, and Earth sciences for 67 years, this is an unprecedented step. As a former agency scientist and founder of NASA Watch, Kate Coving noted in her blog, the new decree “makes no mention of science and research.” This has caused concern in the scientific community, as it signals a radical shift in priorities.
However, experts believe that the real motives behind this decision may be related not only to security issues, but also to labor relations. The decree also included NASA in the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute (FSLMRS), effectively depriving employees of their right to collective bargaining and union membership. This change, adopted a few days before Labor Day, led to numerous lawsuits.
Protests and consequences for scientific missions
The new status provoked a negative reaction among agency employees. Protests took place near NASA headquarters in Washington. Monica Gorman, vice president of the Goddard Association of Engineers, Scientists, and Technicians, emphasized that independence and protection from unfair reprisals were ensured precisely through union representation.
This change comes amid a difficult period for NASA. The White House has already threatened to cut the agency’s science budget for the next fiscal year by nearly half, which could lead to the freezing of dozens of major space missions. Although Congress has proposed a softer version of the budget, time for maneuvering is quickly running out.
Militarization of space: a new priority
The latest decree underscores the Trump administration’s desire to militarize space. NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy has previously announced plans to send “military personnel” to the Moon and Mars. In addition, the president has proposed deploying weapons in space for the first time as part of the Golden Dome missile defense program, raising concerns about a possible new arms race.
Instead, space science, especially Earth and climate research, has taken a back seat. Duffy promised that NASA would abandon “all these Earth sciences,” confirming the White House’s anti-science stance and its disregard for climate change.
Experts warn that such decisions could cause the US to fall behind China in the race to return to the moon. Moreover, the combination of budget cuts, militarization, and restrictions on workers’ rights threatens to lose thousands of skilled professionals who are the foundation of the agency’s success. Instead of exploring the universe, NASA finds itself as a tool for political ambitions, which could undermine its scientific potential.
Earlier, we reported on how Trump demanded that employees voluntarily resign from NASA.
Provided by: nasawatch.com
