"Designing the system to return Mars samples to Earth at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory - the Southern California lab that pioneered American rocketry and the scientific exploration of our solar system - was her dream job. As she worked toward degrees in mechanical engineering, she watched JPL launches and became enamored with the photos the lab took on Mars."
"It was the fourth round of layoffs in two years at the lab, which has struggled since Congress pulled funding for its flagship Mars Sample Return mission because of a ballooning budget and timeline. Morale has tanked amid reports of management problems. Staffers say they're following budget discussions in the national news while hearing little from the lab's leaders. "There's been this creeping dread in anticipation," said the mechanical engineer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share her views candidly."
Designing the system to return Mars samples to Earth at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory was her dream. She studied mechanical engineering, watched JPL launches, attended an open house that felt like "Disneyland," and applied over 60 times before joining the Mars Sample Return Mission. She hoped to make her career there but was among 550 employees laid off, more than 10% of the workforce. The lab faced its fourth round of layoffs in two years after Congress pulled funding for the Mars Sample Return mission amid a ballooning budget and timeline. Morale has tanked; staffers report little communication from leaders and widespread dread. JPL remains internationally known and a major scientific and technological anchor in Southern California.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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