Around 2,145 senior-ranking employees at the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are set to depart as part of a broader effort to trim the agency’s workforce, Politico reported on Wednesday, citing internal documents.

The exits largely affect staff in GS-13 to GS-15 positions some of the highest non-executive ranks in the federal government. According to the report, NASA has offered early retirement packages, buyouts, and deferred resignation options to encourage voluntary departures.

“NASA remains committed to our mission as we work within a more prioritized budget,” agency spokesperson Bethany Stevens said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

Under the Trump administration, in recent months, the US space industry and NASA’s workforce of 18,000 have been whipsawed by looming layoffs and proposed budget cuts that would cancel dozens of science programs. In contrast, the US space agency remains without a confirmed administrator.

Jared Isaacman — a billionaire private astronaut, Musk ally, and Trump’s nominee to lead NASA — appeared to be an early casualty of the growing rift between Elon Musk and the president after the White House abruptly withdrew his nomination last month, effectively blocking Musk’s preferred candidate.

– Ends

With Inputs from Reuters