Three departments at the space agency will be terminated, including that of Chief Scientist, in Donald Trump administration's drive to cut costs.

NASA is eliminating its chief scientist role and closing down an office that studies policy matters on space and technology, in a round of layoffs affecting 23 employees, the agency said on Monday. NASA's acting administrator Janet Petro told employees by email on Monday the Office of the Chief Scientist,

NASA is crafting an initial plan for reductions in force and reorganization, Acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro said in a memo.

NASA has cut its office of the chief scientist and its Office of Science, Policy, and Strategy, among other entities, the agency said in an internal email that Axios has viewed. Why it matters: Eliminating these offices comes ahead of potentially deep cuts to the agency's science programs.