NASA is losing four key officials close to its flagship moon program, adding uncertainty over the agency’s space exploration trajectory. Jim Free, a central voice defending the Artemis moon program, will retire. Three officials at the Marshall Space Flight Center had their acting replacements announced internally due to previous retirement plans.
The leadership shake-up comes as Elon Musk oversees a review of NASA records and seeks cuts to staff and programs. SpaceX has $15 billion in contracts with NASA, including a contract to land humans on the moon. Musk’s influence challenges NASA’s moon-centric plans, which have been criticized by some Trump advisors. The agency is reorienting its structure and budget to focus on the moon.
Despite concerns, Jeff Bezos expressed support for staying on course with the moon program. However, the Trump administration has sidestepped Free and put Janet Petro in an acting role, seen as an attempt to shield the moon program from changes. Employees have been whipsawed between shifting expectations of layoffs, with some accepting buyout offers. The agency’s almost 18,000 employees face uncertainty over their roles amid the strategic shift.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/key-nasa-officials-departure-casts-more-uncertainty-over-us-moon-program-2025-02-19