Former NASA Employee Slams Government for Recent Layoffs and Compares Congress to Fallen Empires
In a scathing editorial for NASA Watch, former Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) proposal manager Jeff Nosanov criticizes the government’s recent layoffs at NASA and draws a parallel between Congress and fallen empires throughout history. Nosanov argues that these layoffs, which affected eight percent of the lab’s employees, are a result of the government’s short-sightedness and internal conflicts.
Nosanov begins his editorial by stating that throughout history, superpowers have often chosen to abandon positions of leadership or yield dominance due to internal conflicts. He compares the recent NASA layoffs, which impacted approximately 530 employees and 40 contractors at the JPL facility in Pasadena, California, to other “historic mistakes” made by fallen empires. He believes that Congress’ gridlock over budget issues is to blame for this tragedy.
The former NASA employee emphasizes the importance of the JPL to America’s accomplishments in space and argues that the government’s failure of leadership is unacceptable. He points out that unlike mistakes made by rulers in the past, our current leaders have historical precedents that should guide their decision-making.
According to Nosanov, the JPL is the crown jewel of the American space program. Many employees have immigrated to the United States specifically to work at the JPL, contributing to the country’s reputation for bringing out the best in people from all over the world. He highlights the JPL’s significant role in leading the United States and humanity to the Moon in the 1960s through robotic space exploration and its ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of space exploration.
The recent layoffs at the JPL have put one of its most crucial programs, the Mars Sample Return mission, at risk. This mission could potentially help us discover signs of life on Mars. Nosanov argues that Congress’ budget cuts have been foolhardy and jeopardize important scientific advancements. He points out that with layoffs becoming more prevalent in the tech and science industries, eliminating sought-after government jobs will have a detrimental impact on morale for years to come. Additionally, he warns that these actions may open the door for China to take the lead in space exploration.
Nosanov concludes his editorial by stating that history has shown that when a superpower abandons a frontier, someone else takes advantage of the opportunity. He criticizes the leaders for allowing this to happen and calls it a height of folly, arrogance, and ignorance. He believes that the JPL and the laid-off employees deserve better and places blame on the political class for causing this tragedy.
The former NASA employee’s passionate editorial sheds light on the repercussions of government decisions on the American space program. It serves as a reminder of the importance of investing in scientific research and the potential consequences of short-sighted budget cuts. The article highlights the JPL’s significant contributions to space exploration and raises concerns about the future of American leadership in this field.