NASA’s acting administrator Janet Petro said on Wednesday that a government efficiency panel led by Elon Musk will review the space agency’s spending, while confirming that hundreds of NASA employees have accepted a federal buyout plan.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a Trump administration initiative led by billionaire SpaceX founder Elon Musk, is set to scrutinize NASA’s financial outlays, Petro told reporters at a Washington space industry conference.
🚀 "They're going to look—similarly to what they've done in other agencies—at our payments and what money has gone out," Petro said.
NASA Under Budget Scrutiny
The review comes as Trump’s administration accelerates cost-cutting measures across federal agencies. NASA’s $24 billion annual budget includes a range of science and exploration missions, but some programs may be at risk.
📉 Hundreds of NASA employees have accepted the buyout program initiated by the administration, Petro confirmed, though she did not specify the exact number.
Musk’s SpaceX and Conflict of Interest Concerns
SpaceX currently holds $15 billion in NASA contracts, primarily for:
✔ Transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station
✔ Landing humans on the Moon with its Starship vehicle
Asked whether Musk’s leadership of DOGE posed conflict of interest concerns, Petro said NASA’s legal office would review any potential conflicts and enforce the agency’s strict policies.
Moon Missions at Risk?
The future of NASA’s Artemis program, designed to land humans on the Moon, is now uncertain as both Musk and Trump emphasize Mars exploration as a priority.
For the DOGE panel, NASA’s over-budget Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is a potential target for cost-cutting, though its strong political backing in Republican-majority states could complicate any cancellation efforts.
Trump’s Executive Orders Reshape NASA
The Trump administration has already sent executive orders to federal agencies, including NASA, instructing them to eliminate government diversity programs and implement cost reductions.
📢 "All the officials in charge are really trying to wrap our heads around all the executive orders as they're flying at us," Petro said.
With DOGE ramping up its reviews, NASA’s long-term mission priorities may face major shifts, as the Trump administration pushes for a leaner, Mars-focused space strategy.
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