NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab to Remove Over 500 Workers Owing to Insufficient Funding

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), located in Pasadena, California, will lay off 530 employees and 40 contractors to save costs due to the lack of government funds for the current fiscal year.

"These are painful but necessary adjustments that will enable us to adhere to our budget allocation while continuing our important work for NASA and our nation," a statement from JPL said, according to Fox News.

With this move, roughly 8% of the employees at the facility in Pasadena will lose their jobs.

(Photo: Mario Tama / Getty Images)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) clean room workers gather near a propulsion component (L) for the Europa Clipper spacecraft as it is prepared inside a Spacecraft Assembly Facility clean room at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) on April 11, 2023 in Pasadena, California.

Memo to Employees

JPL Director Laurie Leshin informed staff in a published memo that the lab is currently operating under tight budget constraints, which led to a hiring freeze, reduced contracts for the Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission, and cuts to burden budgets throughout the lab. The facility is also waiting for funding from Congress for the mission.

A few on-site contractors were laid off earlier this month as part of an attempt to cut costs. NASA previously advised JPL to anticipate a $300 million budget for MSR, a reduction of 63% from last year.

"Unfortunately, those actions alone are not enough for us to make it through the remainder of the fiscal year. So in the absence of an appropriation, and as much as we wish we didn't need to take this action, we must now move forward to protect against even deeper cuts later were we to wait," Leshin stated.

Workers at JPL are being told to stay home on Wednesday, February 7, and those who will be laid off will be informed about it. The employee's basic salary and benefits will be maintained for the first 60 days after termination.

Benefits information, severance packages, and transitional assistance, such as job placement services, will be provided to those who qualify.

"To our colleagues who will be leaving JPL, I want you to know how grateful I am for the exceptional contributions you have made to our mission and our community," Leshin wrote in the letter. "Your talents leave a lasting mark on JPL. You will always be a part of our story and you have made a positive difference here."