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Being able to witness the Artemis II voyage to the Moon, led by the exemplary Artemis II crew (including mission specialist Christina Koch, who began her career at NASA Goddard) was an awe-inspiring and for many, life-defining event. The mission captured the world’s attention, not only because of the technical and scientific feats NASA was able to accomplish in returning humans to orbit and observe the Moon, but because of the rare human and cosmic perspectives the mission brought to us. The journey was a very timely reminder of the importance of NASA’s role in space exploration and space science for the US and the entire world. We can all feel pride in belonging to such a NASA team. On the occasion of the Artemis II launch, IFPTE leadership and GESTA’s President spoke on the historic journey, and emphasized the role of NASA’s federal workforce in making the mission possible.
GESTA membership recently passed a resolution to condemn the killing of Alex Pretti, a fellow federal employee and federal union member, by federal immigration agents. You can read the GESTA resolution text here. As noted, copies of this resolution are in the process of being sent to the international leadership of IFPTE, members of Congress representing GESTA districts, other stakeholders, and the press
On January 14th GESTA members and allies, as well as IFPTE leadership, rallied on Capitol Hill with other federal union members in support of the The Protect American Workforce Act (PAWA).
 During Acting Center Director Cynthia Simmons’ and NASA Associate Administrator of Science Mission Directorate, Nicola “Nicky” Fox’s, Goddard wide Welcome Back and Community Briefing on November 19th, GESTA leadership handed out information outside the auditorium. Although not organized by GESTA, some GESTA members and other employees also printed signs for employees to pick up and hold during the town hall to remind our leadership and stand in solidarity with other employees in recognizing NASA’s mission. Ultimately, security guards prohibited employees from distributing and bringing the signs into the auditorium. Samples of the printed signs are shown above. They are taken from the NASA mission statement. Some employees and members have now posted them on their office doors. Leftover posters are available in the middle stairwell of Building 34 if you would like to grab one.
 On September 15, 2025, the NASA Needs Help group organized its third protest outside of NASA HQ. GESTA and IFPTE members attended the event, and Representative Suhas Subramanyam of VA addressed the crowd, as well as speakers from Stand Up For Science, GESTA, IFPTE, National Institute of Health, and the Planetary Society. Videos of the speakers are available on Instagram, @nasaneedshelp.
The event was covered by NBC Washington, Space.com, Government Executive, NASA Watch, Federal News Network, WUSA9, JWEasyTech, Ground News, DC Media Group, The Manila Times, and more! More photos from the event are below. Thank you to GESTA members and friends who came out to participate in recent outreach events to the local Greenbelt community over the Labor Day weekend! These events included tabling at the festival under the “NASA Needs Help” effort, and marching in the Labor Day parade under the GESTA banner.
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