Trump Has Promised Budget Cuts During His Administration. However, NASA’s JPL Is Already Laying Off Staff: This Is Why

President-elect Donald Trump has promised to implement significant reductions in federal spending, which may lead to the closure of several federal agencies and budget cuts for many others. However, some taxpayer-funded programs are already under pressure even before Trump returns to the White House on Jan. 20.

One of NASA’s most important laboratories, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), says that its funding is insufficient to maintain its current operations. As a result, JPL has decided to lay off 325 employees, which represents approximately 5% of its workforce. JPL director Laurie Leshin explained that this “difficult decision” is necessary to meet the budget allocation.

JPL Is Short on Cash and Is Laying Off Personnel

Leshin indicated that the layoffs will impact the technical, business, and support areas. She emphasized that this decision follows a thorough analysis. It’s important to note that this isn’t the first time JPL has reduced its workforce. Earlier this year, the lab laid off 530 employees and also discontinued contracts with around 100 contractors due to ongoing budget challenges.

As NASA’s primary robotic planetary exploration center, JPL is facing significant setbacks, particularly with its Mars Sample Return program. This mission, planned in collaboration with the European Space Agency, aims to bring samples from Mars back to Earth. However, the project’s costs have surged, while Congress has provided less funding than what JPL requested.

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Leshin also pointed out that the recent layoffs will likely be the last staffing adjustment in the near future. After this workforce action, JPL will have around 5,500 employees, a number she believes is stable and sustainable over time. “Even though the coming leadership transition at NASA may introduce both new uncertainties and new opportunities, this decision would be happening regardless of the recent election outcome,” she added.

Looking ahead, it’s uncertain how the incoming Trump administration will affect the Mars Sample Return program. Space exploration could be one of the president’s priorities, but it seems that cost-cutting measures will be also essential. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, a key figure in the space sector and a staunch Trump ally, is expected to work with the new administration to “cut wasteful expenditures and restructure federal agencies,” among other responsibilities.

Image | NASA/JPL-Caltech

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