The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Tuesday dismissed its chief scientist and other workers in accordance with US President Donald Trump’s orders.
The move comes as the newest in a line of administrative measures blocking climate change research.
Though the move concerns only 23 employees, a spokeswoman disclosed that more cuts are in the pipeline.
The initial round effectively shut down the Office of the Chief Scientist, led by top climatologist Katherine Calvin, who worked on key UN climate reports.
US delegates Calvin and others were said to have been barred from attending a significant climate research conference in China last month.
“To optimize our workforce, and in compliance with an Executive Order, NASA is beginning its phased approach to a reduction in force, known as a RIF,” agency spokeswoman Cheryl Warner said.
The Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy, as well, and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Branch of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion have been disbanded.
NASA to date has managed to avoid the deep cuts that the other agencies had received, thanks to a last-minute intervention by Jared Isaacman, Trump’s preferred candidate for NASA administrator.
It was announced last month, in February, that NASA was poised to lay off approximately a thousand probationary staff.
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