As the rest of the world watched in astonishment, the US federal government shut down on October 2 for the first time in more than 17 years after lawmakers there failed to reach agreement on the Budget. An estimated 800 000 nonessential federal employees went on unpaid leave, while museums were shut, national parks closed and the website of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) became unavailable for browsing. In fact, Nasa sent most of its 18 000 employees home. But two American astronauts living and working on the International Space Station were deemed essential employees and were, thus, kept on the payroll.