All articles tagged with #jet propulsion laboratory
NASA engineers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory executed a risky energy-saving move dubbed a 'Big Bang' to shut down nonessential systems and swap in lower-energy options on Voyager 2, preserving enough plutonium-generated power to keep three instruments functioning for about another year. The team plans to apply the same strategy to Voyager 1, extending the spacecrafts’ science while watts dwindle.
NASA announced it will competitively award the management and operations contract for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), currently operated by Caltech since 1958, with the current contract through Sept. 30, 2028 and a maximum value of up to $30 billion. The procurement aims to explore alternative management approaches to boost mission performance, innovation, and cost efficiency while preserving JPL’s location and ensuring mission continuity.
NASA says it’s cooperating with a federal probe into 11 missing or dead American scientists—three of whom were tied to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory—with officials noting there is no confirmed link or national-security threat, though several cases involve sensitive research and the full details are still under investigation.
CBS News reports online speculation about the deaths and disappearances of 10 government workers tied to nuclear or space technology, but federal officials say there’s no evidence of a coordinated pattern; the Department of Energy and FBI are involved with no confirmed links across sites like Los Alamos and JPL, and experts caution against drawing connections from disparate cases.
A growing roster of dead and missing NASA-linked scientists—now reported to include nine individuals—has sparked fresh alarm and law-enforcement attention. The latest case involves Michael David Hicks, a NASA/JPL astronomer who died in 2023, with the Los Angeles County coroner listing arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease and obesity as factors and the manner of death as open, while other listed cases involve Monica Reza (missing in 2025) and other NASA-related researchers tied to missions or to UFO circles. Although not all cases appear connected, the pattern has prompted renewed scrutiny of scientists tied to NASA programs and space research.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is laying off approximately 550 employees, about 10% of its workforce, as part of a strategic realignment to focus on core capabilities and fiscal discipline, amidst ongoing budget uncertainties and broader government workforce reductions.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory plans to lay off about 550 employees as part of a restructuring effort to streamline operations and focus on core capabilities, unrelated to the government shutdown, affecting its workforce of around 5,500 in Pasadena, California.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is tracking five asteroids set to pass Earth on December 9, 2024. Despite their large sizes, ranging from 32 to 210 feet wide, none of these asteroids pose a threat to the planet as they will pass at safe distances, the closest being 433,000 miles away. This event provides a valuable opportunity for scientific observation and highlights the importance of ongoing space monitoring.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California is laying off 325 employees, about 5% of its workforce, due to budget constraints. This follows a previous layoff of 530 employees earlier this year. The cuts are part of a broader effort to align with reduced funding, including a significant decrease in the budget for the Mars Sample Return mission. Despite generating substantial economic output, NASA has faced budget reductions, impacting projects like the VIPER rover mission to the Moon.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is laying off approximately 325 employees, about 5% of its workforce, due to budget cuts and technical issues affecting its Mars Sample Return program.
NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft, launched in 1977, is showing signs of improvement after experiencing communication issues. The spacecraft, which has been operating for 46 years, has been transmitting gibberish due to a likely issue in its flight data system. The Voyager team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is working to restore communication and is "extremely hopeful" after recent promising signs. The team faces unique challenges due to the spacecraft's distance from Earth and the dwindling number of engineers and programmers who worked on the mission. The Voyager probes, carrying golden records with Earth's music and culture, represent a significant achievement in space exploration and may outlive humanity.
MiMi Aung, a manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, made the bold decision to lead the development of a small helicopter, Ingenuity, intended to fly on Mars. Despite facing opposition and funding challenges, Aung and her team persevered, ultimately succeeding in getting Ingenuity to Mars as part of the Perseverance rover mission. This is the inside story of how Aung and a few champions of flying on Mars ultimately prevailed, showcasing the determination and innovation behind the creation of Ingenuity.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory laid off 530 employees and 40 contractors due to anticipated budget cuts, affecting about 8% of its workforce, as the agency prepares for potential funding reductions for the Mars Sample Return mission. California lawmakers have protested the cuts, emphasizing the impact on local workers and the setback to scientific and space leadership. The mission, a joint effort with the European Space Agency, has faced delays and cost overruns, prompting an independent review, with recommendations expected in March or April.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California is laying off around 530 employees and 40 contractors, amounting to eight percent of the facility's workforce, due to budget uncertainty and the absence of an FY24 appropriation from Congress. The cuts are a result of the agency's need to adjust to a lower budget and protect against deeper cuts later. The uncertainty over the final budget allocation for the Mars Sample Return mission, which is expected to receive around $300 million, has played a major factor in the layoffs, despite the mission's success so far with the Perseverance rover uncovering soil samples containing evidence of organic matter on Mars.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California is laying off 530 workers and 40 contractors due to a lack of federal funding, representing about 8% of its workforce, as it awaits funding for the Mars Sample Return mission. The lab had already implemented cost-cutting measures, including a hiring freeze and reduced contracts, but the layoffs became necessary to adhere to budget constraints. Employees impacted by the layoffs will receive base pay and benefits for 60 days, as well as severance packages and transitional benefits. U.S. Rep. Judy Chu is working to reverse the budget cuts and restore funding to support scientific discovery at JPL.