Alarm is growing among federal workers at NASA’s iconic Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, the hub for significant missions like the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes. More than a dozen buildings on the campus are being vacated and locked during the federal shutdown, with employees receiving minimal notice, according to four sources who spoke under the condition of anonymity. NASA leadership has countered these concerns, reports BritPanorama.
Furloughed employees were reportedly given only days to return temporarily and assist in clearing entire buildings of specialized equipment. Internal emails describe a scenario where equipment not moved in time could be discarded or donated.
A NASA spokesperson stated that the building closures are part of a “strategic consolidation” plan laid out by Goddard leaders and should not affect ongoing projects. However, some sources express fears that these actions contribute to an effort by the Trump administration to undermine the Maryland campus while the government remains unfunded, a claim the spokesperson denied.
The Trump administration’s budget proposal from April sought to slash funding and personnel at Goddard, including a suggested reduction of the science staff by 42%. Subsequent funding bills passed by lawmakers have mostly countered these proposed science cuts.
Concerns are mounting about a potential permanent loss of crucial equipment and facilities, critical for maintaining current and future projects. One engineer at Goddard remarked that losing the center’s capabilities would significantly harm the nation’s ability to develop and analyze data from space science satellites.
Documents compiled by over a dozen concerned staff revealed that 13 buildings, including approximately 100 laboratories, are closing. The 1,270-acre campus contains more than 30 large buildings and numerous smaller ones. This uncertainty has left workers confused, fearing management’s intent to implement drastic cuts before Congress passes a funding bill.
In their statement, NASA emphasized it is “planning for multiple FY26 scenarios,” including the president’s budget request, while affirming compliance with federal law. However, engineers at Goddard warn that such changes may negatively affect important projects, including the launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space telescope in 2027. This telescope is designed to enhance understanding of the cosmos and the early universe, potentially revolutionizing astronomical research.
Sources within NASA are particularly concerned that these rapid decisions could disrupt the Dragonfly program, set to dispatch a helicopter to investigate Saturn’s largest moon in 2028. Both the Roman and Dragonfly missions have previously enjoyed steady funding despite the president’s budget requests.
The changes at Goddard have broader implications, with sources asserting they could undermine U.S. capabilities in space science over the next decade. Some staff have expressed that halting the development of ongoing projects would jeopardize future missions aimed at exploring planets and enhancing Earth science understanding.
NASA leadership has been working through a master plan to modernize the Goddard campus, aiming to cut costs and renovate aging infrastructure. However, many of the buildings currently being emptied were not slated for closure until the early 2030s, raising questions about the necessity of these actions. Reports indicate that over 40% of the vacated buildings were unoccupied on average.
A key facility, the ElectroMagnetic Anechoic Chamber (GEMAC), has been shuttered, which is essential for testing spacecraft antennas. This chamber is noted for its unique design allowing the testing of large communications equipment.
The closure is poised to have long-term consequences for NASA’s spacecraft testing capabilities, as GEMAC is reportedly the only facility with an adequate entrance for large hardware. A source likened the situation to “taking a Maserati to the junkyard,” emphasizing the chamber’s operational state and potential longevity in supporting various projects.
Another significant facility under threat includes labs essential for the Roman telescope’s propulsion system. Employees are raising concerns about the costs associated with moving equipment between buildings and the potential for loss of sensitive hardware during these transitions.
Furthermore, some staff worry that the building closures and unexpected returns to work may violate the Antideficiency Act, which defines how government shutdowns should be executed. The act prohibits employees from volunteering their services without compensation, except in limited circumstances. A NASA spokesperson confirmed that certain exceptions were approved to maintain specific facility movements during the shutdown.
The reassigned plans and abrupt changes have significantly impacted the morale of workers at Goddard, many of whom feel unsettled due to job losses, budget cuts, and ineffective communication. Goddard’s history of contributing to missions related to various celestial bodies underscores concerns that any serious decline or closure would profoundly affect the U.S. space program.
The ongoing turmoil reflects a broader concern among employees about Goddard’s future viability and positions a bright scientific legacy at risk, suggesting that without substantial action, the facility may no longer function as a vital contributor to space exploration.
