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NASA’s JPL Lays Off Another 325 People
- NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab is set to lay off 325 people, or about 5% of its workforce, in a second round of layoffs for 2024.
- The layoffs come amid issues with the possible cancellation of the Mars Sample Return mission, and following the recent October 2024 launch of Europa Clipper which leaves no flagship mission in the pipeline.
- Like the previous layoffs, the cuts have nothing to do with individual performance; they’re budget-related and an attempt to balance the books.
- The announcement was made on Nov. 12 in a memo sent to employees. All employees were told to work from home on Nov.13 and were informed whether their position was being eliminated.
- The director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Dr. Laurie Leshin, said that the reduction was spread across nearly all areas of JPL.
- "These are painful but necessary adjustments that will enable us to adhere to our budget while continuing our important work for NASA and our nation," said JPL in a statement.
- JPL has a long and storied history, developing robotic spacecraft and sending instruments to every planet in our Solar System. The Lab's motto is "Dare Mighty Things".
- However, Leshin said she believed this will be the last workforce reduction needed for the foreseeable future and that staffing levels are now stable and supportable.
- The JPL will be left with about 5,500 employees after these layoffs.
- JPL is offering laid-off employees personalized support, including dedicated time to discuss their benefits, and several other forms of assistance.
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