Nasa is closed: US shutdown leaves space agency offline

Nasa has suspended most of its operations after the United States government entered a shutdown on 1 October, when Congress failed to approve a budget or temporary funding bill.

A notice posted on the agency’s website stated that Nasa is “closed” until further notice. The closure follows the shutdown of federal agencies across Washington after lawmakers did not reach agreement on spending, the first such lapse in nearly six years.

Nasa said only activities required for the protection of life and property are continuing. This includes monitoring the International Space Station, supporting spacecraft currently in operation and carrying out planetary defence functions such as asteroid tracking. Other work, including research projects, education and public engagement, has been halted.

Reuters reported that Nasa’s social media accounts and daily mission updates have gone silent, while communications from the agency have been reduced to essential alerts. The Associated Press noted that the shutdown affects thousands of Nasa employees who are now furloughed without pay.

Impact on projects

The New York Times reported that the closure could delay preparations for the Artemis programme, which is intended to return astronauts to the Moon. Work on testing, logistics and scheduling has been paused until funding is restored. The Wall Street Journal said research supported by Nasa grants at universities and laboratories has also been suspended, affecting studies dependent on continuous funding.

Contractors providing services to the agency may also face disruption. Bloomberg reported that companies tied to Nasa’s supply chain are assessing the impact of delayed contracts and funding gaps.

Nasa has experienced similar closures during past budget disputes. The 2018–2019 government shutdown, which lasted 35 days, forced thousands of staff to stop work and delayed scientific missions, CNN reported. Officials have said that while essential safety operations continue, most scientific and technical progress is put on hold during such periods.

Staff affected

Nasa employs around 18,000 people. The Washington Post reported that most civil servants have been instructed not to work until funding is restored. Employees cannot use government systems or continue with their projects during the furlough.

The shutdown followed a budget standoff in Congress. Lawmakers were unable to pass either a new annual spending bill or a short-term funding measure. President Joe Biden has urged legislators to end the deadlock, warning that vital government services are affected.

Until a resolution is reached, Nasa’s operations will remain limited to essential safety functions, while scientific, research and exploratory projects stay suspended.