NASA’s acting administrator Janet Petro announced that Elon Musk’s government efficiency panel, DOGE, will review the space agency’s spending. The move comes as hundreds of employees accepted a buyout proposal. Petrosaid DOGE will examine NASA’s payments and what money has gone out. The Department of Government Efficiency is also reviewing NASA’s $15 billion contracts with SpaceX.
The review presents conflicts of interest concerns, but Petro assured that the agency has strict conflict of interest policies. A small group of Trump administration officials are already examining NASA’s science and space mission programs.
The future of the moon landing program remains uncertain as Musk and Trump discuss potential missions to Mars. The Space Launch System rocket is seen as a potential cost-cutting target, but its workforce in Republican-majority states complicates the goal.
DOGE has been reviewing federal spending and personnel systems since it was formed by billionaire SpaceX founder Elon Musk. The agency’s annual budget is roughly $24 billion.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/acting-nasa-chief-says-doge-plans-examine-space-agencys-spending-2025-02-12