"In an announcement, JPL says the layoffs are "part of a reorganization that began in July and not related to the current government shutdown," which has been ongoing since the beginning of October. "This week's action, while not easy, is essential to securing JPL's future by creating a leaner infrastructure, focusing on our core technical capabilities, maintaining fiscal discipline, and positioning us to compete in the evolving space ecosystem - all while continuing to deliver on our vital work for NASA and the nation," read the announcement."
""The morale has been as low as anyone has seen in decades, maybe ever," one employee told the LA Times. "The uncertainty is very unsettling... We expect more people will leave in the coming months due to continued uncertainty on the type of work that may or may not come.""
"Notably, the JPL is the NASA lab responsible for all five of the agency's Mars rovers. The robotic explorers, and the body of research they've undertaken, are integral to understanding the past, present, and future of our closest planetary neighbor - and a major stepping stone in the effort to eventually land a human astronaut on the red planet."
JPL announced plans to cut 550 jobs from its roughly 5,500-person workforce as part of a reorganization that it says began in July and is not related to the government shutdown. The layoffs will affect technical, support, and business teams and aim to create a leaner infrastructure, focus core technical capabilities, and maintain fiscal discipline. Employee morale is reported as extremely low, with many anticipating further departures amid uncertainty about future work. JPL manages all five of NASA's Mars rovers and supports ambitious programs like Mars Sample Return, making workforce reductions consequential for mission continuity and U.S. leadership in space.
Read at Futurism
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