NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Mountain View, California, has announced that it will be laying off 530 employees, which accounts for about 8% of its workforce. The decision comes as a result of uncertainty surrounding the laboratory’s budget for 2024.
JPL stated that it had exhausted all other measures to adjust to a lower budget from NASA and, in the absence of a fiscal year 2024 appropriation from Congress, the difficult decision to reduce the workforce through layoffs had to be made. The layoffs also include 40 contractors.
This news follows a previous round of layoffs where JPL let go of 100 contractors who were working on the Mars Sample Return (MSR) program. The reduction in spending on MSR was a response to the NASA decision to operate on a continuing resolution that funds programs at 2023 levels. The difference in funding for MSR between the House and Senate spending bills for 2024 forced NASA to reduce spending.
Laurie Leshin, the director of JPL, had previously warned employees about the possibility of staff layoffs due to the uncertainty surrounding the laboratory’s funding. She emphasized the need for transparency and stated that layoffs were becoming more likely with lower levels of funding.
In a memo to JPL staff, Leshin explained that the lack of a final 2024 appropriations bill and the ongoing continuing resolution forced the layoffs. She mentioned that other measures, such as a hiring freeze and reductions in MSR contracts and other spending, had been taken before resorting to layoffs.
Affected employees will be notified after staff meetings, and most employees will work from home to ensure a safe and comfortable environment on what is expected to be a stressful day.
The decision to reduce spending on MSR has faced opposition from members of California’s congressional delegation. They have expressed concerns about job losses and delays in MSR and have called for funding to be restored while awaiting the final bill.
Rep. Judy Chu, whose district includes JPL, expressed her disappointment in the layoffs and highlighted the impact they will have on workers and Southern California. She hopes to work out a final spending bill that would restore MSR funding and allow JPL to rehire workers.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson defended the decision to cut spending on MSR, citing the wide differences between the House and Senate bills and an ongoing review of the MSR architecture. He emphasized the need to be cautious with spending in the absence of a final appropriations bill.
Nelson acknowledged the significance of JPL and its contributions to space exploration but acknowledged that these decisions are painful and will be felt across the NASA family.
The layoffs at JPL highlight the challenges faced by NASA and its laboratories due to budget uncertainty. The impact on the workforce and ongoing projects like MSR is a cause for concern, and efforts are being made to restore funding and mitigate the long-term effects of these cuts.