NASA’s Goddard Center Director, Makenzie Lystrup, is leaving her position after just over two years in the role. Her departure comes amidst concerns from agency staff over “indiscriminate cuts” to science and aeronautics research. In a formal dissent letter signed by 287 current and former NASA employees, staff expressed fears that the budget proposals would harm the agency’s mission and workforce.
The Voyager Declaration, published yesterday, lists several concerns, including changes to NASA’s Technical Authority capacities driven by factors other than safety and mission assurance. The letter also references the Columbia disaster lessons learned and notes that the culture of organizational silence promoted at NASA is a “dangerous turn away” from those lessons.
Lystrup’s departure follows that of Laurie Leshin, former director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who stepped down in June. The mood among staff is described as “concerned,” with reports suggesting thousands may leave the agency before the cuts are formally announced. Cynthia Simmons will serve as acting center director after Lystrup’s departure on August 1.
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2025/07/22/nasa_goddard_resignation