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Tom Stafford
Tom Stafford

Keith’s Note: Former NASA astronaut Gen. Thomas Stafford has died. Details to follow. Ad Astra. Update from Bill Nelson: “Today General Tom Stafford went to the eternal heavens which he so courageously explored as a Gemini and Apollo astronaut as well as a peacemaker in Apollo Soyuz. Those of us privileged to know him are very sad but grateful we knew a giant.”

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  • NASA Watch
  • March 18, 2024
Dick Truly
Dick Truly

Keith’s note: Shortly after I moved to Washington DC, Dick Truly became NASA Administrator. I did not really know him but I regularly bumped into him – as in constantly. More than once it was at a barbershop next to the “Reporter’s” building next to the railroad tracks across from old NASA HQ. If I came into work on weekends I often saw him arrive/depart at NASA HQ in what I seem to recall to have been a sporty white BMW. Then one time I arrived at Houston Hobby airport and there was no rental car for me. One of his staff heard me and offered me a ride – with Truly – down to JSC. He was busy but we chatted and I mentioned that I had worked at Rockwell Downey and was the Sign Language interpreter for the STS-2 crew visit – which he missed due to a family matter. I always thought that he was a very approachable and totally normal guy. Here’s the NASA PAO statement. Ad Astra Dick Truly

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  • NASA Watch
  • February 28, 2024
Brad Downs
Brad Downs

“James Bradley Downs, Jr., 99, of Titusville FL went to be with the Lord on February 10th, 2024. … Brad joined Brown Engineering as a contract employee in Huntsville, Alabama in 1959 and was soon picked up by NASA. In 1965 Brad moved his family to Titusville, FL to continue work on Apollo. During 24 years at NASA, he contributed to the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Apollo-Soyuz, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs.” Ad Astra Brad. More info

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  • NASA Watch
  • February 13, 2024
Heads Up JPL: Some Possible Job Openings
Heads Up JPL: Some Possible Job Openings

Keith’s note: just got this email: Mr. Cowing: I am very sorry to hear about the situation that is going on at JPL. I did want to share with you that the Naval Facilities Engineering Command has more than 100 current engineering vacancies, literally around the world. We manage the day to day construction, operation, and maintenance of the Navy’s shore establishment. The plant value of the facilities is slightly more than 1/2 trillion dollars. We have openings for most engineering disciplines. More senior positions do require registration. We have personnel in San Diego that are more than willing to speak with anyone that is potentially interested. I will be more than happy to pass along any information.
Sincerely,
Michael R. Keller, PE
Assistant Commander for Public Works (Acting)
NAVFAC HQ
202-374-0467
michael.r.keller3.civ – at – us.navy.mil

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  • NASA Watch
  • February 12, 2024
A Former JPLer’s Take On The Layoffs
A Former JPLer’s Take On The Layoffs

Keith’s note: I am turning off commenting on this post. I cannot believe the comments I am seeing – people saying “so what”, “No big deal” – and some outright happy that 500+ JPLers are being laid off for [particular odd politics] reasons. You people have screws loose. Jeff Nosanov: The other day the Jet Propulsion Laboratory – the facility in Pasadena that built and operates the Mars Rovers – just laid off approximately 8% of its workforce, about 530 people. Occasionally in human history a superpower will choose to abandon a position of leadership, or yield dominance of a frontier, in favor of, or because of, internal or domestic conflict.

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  • NASA Watch
  • February 8, 2024
Pathetic Lack Of Response From Human/Commercial Space Over Layoffs
Pathetic Lack Of Response From Human/Commercial Space Over Layoffs

Keith’s note: It has been 2 days – still no comment from American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Aerospace Industries Association, Commercial Spaceflight Federation, National Space Society, Coalition for Deep Space Exploration, Space Foundation etc. – the big supporters of human and commercial space – about the welfare of NASA JPL and other NASA employees that have been laid off? WTF? Human/commercial space people can’t be bothered to support NASA workforce? The people who build exploration missions are not worth sticking up for? FYI Artemis and ISS and LEO funding aren’t immune by any means either. United we stand, Divided we fall. Update: NSS responded – see tweet below. If you ever needed evidence that they are clueless/irrelevant, this is it.

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  • NASA Watch
  • February 8, 2024
Job Cuts May Be Ahead At NASA (update)
Job Cuts May Be Ahead At NASA (update)

Keith’s 24 January note: I am hearing that the impact on NASA of the Continuing Resolution ~$500 million shortfall is likely going to have some significant impacts on employees at JPL and Goddard – and elsewhere. Some things will be unaffected, others will be delayed. If implemented this will happen rather soon. Stay tuned.

  • 6 Feb Update: JPL Workforce Update After exhausting all other measures to adjust to a lower budget from NASA, and in the absence of an FY24 appropriation from Congress, we have had to make the difficult decision to reduce the JPL workforce through layoffs. JPL staff has been advised that the workforce reduction will affect approximately 530 of our colleagues, an impact of about 8%, plus approximately 40 additional members of our contractor workforce. The impacts will occur across both technical and support areas of the Lab. 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.
  • NASA PAO from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson: “Earlier today, JPL announced a reduction in its workforce. These painful decisions are hard, and we will feel this loss across the NASA family. A recent Independent Review Board examined the Mars Sample Return mission and NASA is currently assessing the path forward based on their input. In addition to this need for a pause, this decision is necessary because the FY 2024 appropriation, which already started on Oct. 1, 2023, has not been passed by Congress and the lowest level of funding approved has been reported by the Senate appropriations committee. To spend more than that amount, with no final legislation in place, would be unwise and spending money NASA does not have. JPL has long been – and will continue to be – a shining example of America’s leadership in space. Even in the wake of current challenges, JPL will continue to help drive key upcoming NASA missions as we explore the cosmos with Europa Clipper, study our changing climate with the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR), and defend the planet with the Near-Earth Object Surveyor space telescope (NEO Surveyor).”

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  • NASA Watch
  • February 6, 2024
Joseph Pelfrey Is The New MSFC Director
Joseph Pelfrey Is The New MSFC Director

According to NASA PAO: “NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on Monday named Joseph Pelfrey director of the agency’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, effective immediately. Pelfrey has served as acting center director since July 2023.” More

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  • NASA Watch
  • February 5, 2024
Ike Gillam
Ike Gillam

According to Legacy.com: “After serving in the Air Force, Ike began working for NASA. There, he held a series of jobs starting with managing the Delta Program, which launched communication and weather satellites into orbit. He later oversaw the approach and landing tests of the space shuttle as the Director of Space Shuttle Operations, which led to his becoming the first Black person to lead a NASA center as the Director of NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center. Next, Ike was appointed as a science advisor to the White House, before serving as the first associate administrator of the Office of Commercial Programs (OCP), that expanded private sector investment in space activities. In the late 1980s, Ike moved to the private sector, initially as Senior Vice President for OAO Corp., and later, for Allied Signal (Honeywell), where he retired.” Ad Astra Ike

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  • NASA Watch
  • February 2, 2024
Filling The Empty Cubicles At NASA HQ
Filling The Empty Cubicles At NASA HQ

Keith’s note: There’s a NASA analyst job opening in the NASA Office of Technology, Policy & Strategy. OTPS has an agency-wide, future-leaning role – yet they don’t seem to be at all interested in a serious search for staff. Note the 4 day application window (again) over a weekend. If they were truly interested in getting the best possible applicants – and giving the position opening enough time to circulate widely so as to reach the widest possible pool of potential applicants – and then allow quality people to respond – you have to think that 4 days is rather pointless. People will find out about it after 3 days have already passed – and not enough time remains to seriously consider applying. Unless, of course NASA already has their person for the position hand-picked and they are pretending to be interested in getting applications so as to go through the motions. Its all about checking boxes – not getting quality people. More personnel inbreeding. Just sayin’

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  • NASA Watch
  • January 21, 2024
“Spuds” Vogel Is The New STMD AA
“Spuds” Vogel Is The New STMD AA

Keith’s note: According to NASA PAO: “Dr. Kurt “Spuds” Vogel will serve as the new associate administrator of the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced Tuesday. His appointment is effective immediately. Vogel succeeds James Reuter, who retired from the agency in June 2023. Dr. Prasun Desai has served as the acting associate administrator since and now will return to his previous role as deputy associate administrator for STMD.” More.

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  • NASA Watch
  • January 16, 2024
Eddie Bernice Johnson
Eddie Bernice Johnson

“On December 31, 2023, former Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson passed away. She was 88 years old. Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) made the following statement: I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing today of former Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. Eddie, or “EBJ” as she was widely known, led the Science Committee through some of the most productive years of its existence, including passage of the massive CHIPS and Science Act. Throughout that time, she remained steadfast in her commitment to broaden opportunities to all Americans and make our country more equitable and just. Her accomplishments as Chair of the Committee will live on for decades. “But EBJ had another legacy as Chair of the Science Committee, and as a Member of Congress. She worked across the aisle to find consensus with Republican Members of Congress to address the most important issues of our day. In a time of profound division and partisanship, EBJ’s time as Chair was distinguished by the consistent bipartisan accomplishments the Committee produced. Her legacy of bipartisanship and civility is one that we desperately need right now. “EBJ’s contributions to our country and her beloved Dallas community are profound. She was an inspirational woman who’s loss will be deeply felt across America.” More. Ad Astra.

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  • NASA Watch
  • January 1, 2024
Ann Bradley
Ann Bradley

Keith’s note: Ann Bradley passed away Dec. 3, 2023. Prior to serving as the NASA Associate Deputy Administrator, Ann held the position of Associate Administrator for Management Operations. Note the banner. It is on her obituary page. NASA family – ’til the end. Ad Astra Ann. More below.

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  • NASA Watch
  • December 10, 2023
Is Daring Mighty Things Doable At JPL?
Is Daring Mighty Things Doable At JPL?

Keith’s note: According to NASA Lab’s Workforce Woes Threaten Major Space Missions in Scientific American: “To many, it is a dream job. So why have some of JPL’s most vital workers jumped ship? To find out, Scientific American interviewed more than a dozen current and past employees who blame much of the brain drain on the high-stakes, high-stress atmosphere of the lab. Missions, not people, are the lab’s top priority, they say.”“Even the harshest critics interviewed by Scientific American hold out hope for change—much of it tied to JPL’s newest director, Leshin. “It was amazing to see the amount of trust that was accorded to her right from the get-go” after her arrival a year and a half ago, says one current employee whom we will call Ava. “She was very open. She was welcoming. She was engaged. She was personable.”

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  • NASA Watch
  • December 4, 2023
Mary Cleave
Mary Cleave

According to NASA PAO: “Retired NASA astronaut Mary Cleave, a veteran of two NASA spaceflights, died Nov. 27. She was 76. A scientist with training in civil and environmental engineering, as well as biological sciences and microbial ecology, Cleave was the first woman to serve as an associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.” More. Ad Astra Mary

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  • NASA Watch
  • November 29, 2023
Steve Jurczyk
Steve Jurczyk

“Stephen G. Jurczyk, 61, of Fredericksburg, VA, passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday, November 23 (Thanksgiving Day) from pancreatic cancer. Stephen was born on February 20, 1962, to Walter and Jean Jurczyk in New York, N.Y. He graduated from the University of Virginia where he received Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering in 1984 and 1986.” More — Ad Astra Steve.

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  • NASA Watch
  • November 24, 2023
New NASA Associate Administrator And ESDM AA
New NASA Associate Administrator And ESDM AA

Keith’s note: According to a tweet from @SenBillNelson: “I’m excited @JimFree will serve as the next associate administrator @NASA bringing exceptional experience to our leadership team. With Jim stepping up, we chose @Cathy_Koerner to be the new head of our Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate. Onward and upward!” More from NASA PAO

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  • NASA Watch
  • November 15, 2023
Bob Cabana Is Leaving NASA
Bob Cabana Is Leaving NASA

According to NASA PAO: “NASA Associate Administrator and former astronaut Robert Cabana announced Monday his retirement, effective Sunday, Dec. 31 after more than 38 years of service. As associate administrator, Cabana has been the agency’s highest ranking civil servant, third highest ranking NASA official, and the senior advisor to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy.” More

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  • NASA Watch
  • November 13, 2023
Frank Borman
Frank Borman

According to NASA PAO: “The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on the passing of former NASA astronaut Col. (ret.) Frank Borman, who passed away Nov. 7, in Billings, Montana, at the age of 95. “Today we remember one of NASA’s best. Astronaut Frank Borman was a true American hero. Among his many accomplishments, he served as the commander of the Apollo 8 mission, humanity’s first mission around the Moon in 1968. “His lifelong love for aviation and exploration was only surpassed by his love for his wife Susan.” More. Ad Astra.

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  • NASA Watch
  • November 9, 2023