NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to Lay Off 530 Employees

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) said it is laying off over 500 employees, citing lower funding from NASA and a lack of appropriation from Congress for the new fiscal year. In a Feb. 6 memo to employees, JPL Director Laurie Leshin said the workforce reduction will affect 530 staff, or 8 percent of its workforce, and 40 contractors. The cuts will impact technical and support areas. “These cuts are among the most challenging that we have had to make even as we have sought to reduce our spending in recent months,” she stated. Ms. Leshin said the lab is still waiting for Congress’ “final word” on the Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission....