US government shutdown: How it's affecting NASA's space missions
The US government shutdown that started October 1 has paused most NASA activities and left over 15,000 employees at home.
But astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) are still on the job—they're considered essential for keeping people safe in space.
Even though NASA's official updates are on hold, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui is sharing ISS life through social media.
Essential staff are still on the job
NASA staff deemed essential are working without pay to keep things running—think ISS operations and prepping for big missions like Artemis.
The current ISS crew includes folks from NASA, Russia's Roscosmos, and Japan's JAXA; they're carrying on with science experiments and maintenance as usual.
Delays in future missions
Most NASA research and public outreach is temporarily stopped, which could mean delays for future missions—like Artemis 2 heading to the Moon in February 2026.
It's a reminder that political gridlock back home can slow down big dreams in space—and teamwork across countries depends on steady support.