What happens to NASA during a government shutdown? What to know

Of more than 18,000 workers employed at NASA, about 82.8% of them would be sent home without pay – or furloughed – during a government shutdown.

Even if the government were to shut down, NASA's ambitious Artemis campaign to return American astronauts to the surface of the moon would likely continue.

Some, but not all, of NASA's spaceflight missions could also continue if they are deemed necessary.

NASA is far from immune to the effects of if congressional leaders .

At stake for the U.S. agency if the federal government grinds to a halt? The progress of and access to its public outreach arm. NASA’s contingency plan for a shutdown, outlined in a , emphasizes that only "activities which are necessary to prevent harm to life or property" would be exempt from ceasing operations during a shu