NASA is preparing for an evaluation by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal oversight body led by Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX. Acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro confirmed this development during a recent space industry conference in Washington, D.C., stating, “We are going to have DOGE come. They’re going to look—similarly to what they’ve done at other agencies—at our payments and what money has gone out.” Already deep in the Artemis Program, NASA has a lot on the line.
Established by President Donald Trump in January 2025, DOGE has been tasked with scrutinizing federal agencies to identify and eliminate excessive spending. The commission has already initiated reviews across various government bodies, including the Treasury Department, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). NASA is the latest agency to undergo this examination.
The impending review has raised concerns due to Musk’s dual role as both the head of DOGE and CEO of SpaceX, a major NASA contractor. SpaceX holds approximately $15 billion in contracts with NASA, primarily for transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station and for lunar missions under the Artemis program. This significant financial relationship has led to questions about potential conflicts of interest.
Addressing these concerns, Petro emphasized NASA’s commitment to maintaining integrity during the review process. “We have very strict conflict of interest policies,” she noted, adding that the agency’s legal office would thoroughly vet any DOGE personnel involved in the evaluation to ensure impartiality.
The review comes at a time of significant transition within NASA. According to Petro, hundreds of NASA employees have accepted buyout offers as part of a broader government initiative to streamline operations and reduce expenditures. Petro acknowledged the challenges posed by these changes, stating, “All the officials in charge are really trying to wrap our heads around all the executive orders as they’re flying at us.”
As NASA prepares for the DOGE review, the agency is also anticipating a leadership change. Jared Isaacman, a billionaire astronaut who has flown multiple private missions with SpaceX, has been nominated to serve as the next NASA administrator. His appointment is pending Senate confirmation.
The upcoming DOGE evaluation represents a critical juncture for NASA, as it balances the pursuit of ambitious space exploration goals with the imperative of fiscal responsibility. The agency’s leadership has expressed a commitment to transparency and integrity throughout the review process, aiming to ensure that any identified efficiencies do not compromise NASA’s mission or its partnerships within the aerospace industry.
As the situation develops, stakeholders within NASA and the broader space community will be closely monitoring the outcomes of the Department of Government Efficiency review and the potential implications for the agency’s future operations and strategic direction.
Fallout from any changes in NASA’s budget could directly impact major NASA contractors such as Boeing and Blue Origin, who are contracted on the Artemis program for the forseeable future. Both companies have already signaled a budgetary belt tightening this. Boeing issued a layoff warning that could effect thousands of workers on the Space Launch System program, while Blue Origin today announced a “realignment” of the company’s direction, resulting in 1400 layoffs.
