Page 11 - Mars Sample Return News Today

NASA's Layoffs Cause Uncertainty for Mars Sample Return Mission - World Report Now

Congressional gridlock has thrown sand into the gears of NASA's search for ancient life on Mars. Citing funding uncertainties and Congress's

The layoffs affect around 530 employees across support areas, including technical staff, plus about 40 contractors.

The federally funded research and development center managed by Caltech issued a memo to its workforce on Feb. 6.

Congressional gridlock has slowed NASAs search for ancient life on Mars. Citing funding uncertainties and the failure of Congress to pass a 2024 budget, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is operated under contract by Caltech, on Tuesday announced that it is laying off 8% of its workforce, about 530 people, plus another 40 contractors.

The congressional budget gridlock has led NASA to lay off hundreds of workers in its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which has launched numerous missions to Mars to search for signs of life. The JPL, which is managed by the California Institute of Technology, is NASA’s “only federally-funded research and development center,” according to its website.…

“To spend more than that amount, with no final legislation in place, would be unwise,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said.

NASA's Pasadena-based Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) will lay off 530 workers and 40 contractors to save money owing to a shortage of government funding.

A hiring freeze wasn't enough to avoid layoffs after NASA ordered cuts to the MSR mission. Some 530 employees and 40 contractors will lose their jobs.

NASA will let go of 530 employees at its Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, on Wednesday as a cost-cutting measure, it said.