NASA is set to lose at least 2,145 senior staff members as part of the Trump administration's push for budget cuts, Politico reports. The brain drain could severely impact future research and missions, and is happening not long before the organization plans to send a new crew of astronauts to the Moon in 2026.

NASA's leadership change comes at a pivotal moment for the agency, which is already bracing for potentially severe funding cuts.

NASA is set to lose over 2,000 senior-level employees, primarily due to staff reduction initiatives. This includes 2,145 personnel with specialized skills, such as 875 GS-15 employees, amidst efforts to cut over 5,