The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), whose engineers are responsible for many major NASA missions, such as managing the Perseverance and Curiosity rovers, has announced the layoff of 325 employees. This represents approximately five percent of their workforce.
In February 2024, 530 JPL employees lost their jobs due to various reasons, particularly related to funding issues for the Mars Sample Return mission. As a result, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has lost nearly one-eighth of its staff this year, which will undoubtedly impact long-term space projects aimed at exploring the planets of the Solar System.