Overview
- In a Nov. 10 letter, Rep. Zoe Lofgren ordered NASA to stop all closures, relocations, and equipment disposition at Goddard and to confirm a hold in writing within 24 hours.
- Lofgren said a propulsion lab described as mission-critical for completing the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope was told to be emptied on an accelerated schedule by Nov. 12.
- Goddard’s engineers and scientists union reported 13 buildings and about 100 laboratories are being closed, alleging poor communication and raising Anti-Deficiency Act concerns.
- Nearly 90% of Goddard’s 2,867 civil servants were furloughed during the shutdown, leaving few on site as reports described haphazard packing and disposal of equipment.
- NASA officials told congressional staff the actions align with a 2017–2037 Master Plan to reduce the campus footprint by 25%, a claim Lofgren disputes; NASA did not immediately comment.