NASA's deferred resignation program could result in up to 4,000 employees, or nearly 20% of its workforce, leaving the agency. The second resignation round saw approximately 3,000 applications, significantly up from 870 in the first round. This initiative, introduced for cost-cutting under the Trump administration, raises concerns among experts about national security and mission safety. Dr. Linda Carraway warns that losing experienced personnel could set NASA back "by a decade or more" in critical missions.