NASA projects face delays as civil workforce shrinks

A GAO report released July 23 finds NASA's civil-service headcount has fallen about 22% over the past year, affecting 25 of 36 major projects and potentially delaying work; Orion lost roughly 10% of civil servants and SLS about 20%, with Goddard hardest hit at 34% and several centers facing staffing gaps that could become staffing risks, though cost and schedule have not dramatically worsened yet. The agency reported $478.2 million in net overruns concentrated in SLS Block 1B and Orion, and noted possible bigger impacts in FY2027 funding; NASA is pursuing contractor-to-civil-service conversions and a new NASA Force program to shore up critical skills like aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering, IT, and cybersecurity.