NASA's JPL lays off 550 employees in latest round of cuts

Morale is worst in decades, one worker says. More budget uncertainty is feared.

- BY CORINNE PURTILL AND NOAH HAGGERTY

FREDERIC J. BROWN AFP/Getty Images

IT'S UNCLEAR how the layoffs at JPL will affect work on drought, fire and climate change. An employee said morale has taken a huge hit.

Layoff notices went out Tuesday to 550 employees at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in response to ongoing budgetary chaos at the legendary La Cañada Flintridge facility.

The layoffs reduced the employee headcount by more than 10% and affected teams across the institution, according to multiple sources not authorized to speak publicly.

A reorganization for remaining staffers will be announced Wednesday.

"This week’s action, while not easy, is essential to securing JPL's future by creating a leaner infrastructure, focusing on our core technical capabilities, maintaining fiscal discipline, and positioning us to compete in the evolving space ecosystem," JPL Director Dave Gallagher said in a statement Monday.