JPL statement issued on Nov. 12, 2024: “While we have taken various measures to meet our current FY’25 budget allocation, we have reached the difficult decision to reduce the JPL workforce through layoffs. This reduction affects approximately 325 of our colleagues, an impact of about 5% of our workforce. The impacts are occurring across technical, business, and support areas of the Laboratory. These are painful but necessary adjustments that will enable us to adhere to our budget while continuing our important work for NASA and our nation. The following is a memo sent earlier today from JPL Director Laurie Leshin to employees:”

Democrat defeats Republican Rep. Garcia in key California House race, The Hill “Democrat George Whitesides is projected to defeat two-term Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.), according to Decision Desk HQ. Whitesides, the former Virgin Galactic CEO who also served as NASA chief of staff during the Obama administration, won California’s 27th Congressional District, a northern Los Angeles-area House seat.”

Keith’s note: According to Bob Jacobs (@BNJacobs) at NASA PAO: “After 25 years of public service, I have decided to retire from NASA. If I enjoyed any success, it was because of the team around me. Yes, I am looking forward to a new career challenge.” Bob’s contributions to NASA are immense and far too numerous to mention. 99% of what he did for the agency was without attribution and often involved diving catches behind the scenes. Some of the coolest things NASA talked about were the direct result of his steadfast dedication to the agency – often when others did not want to expend the energy to fix things and do them the right way. My only concern is where his small army (I am not exaggerating) of ‘Lost In Space’ robots that have guarded his office will end up – hopefully not homeless. I wish Bob all the best now that he is returning to the real world. Ad Astra.

Keith’s note: according to the National Academies report “NASA at a Crossroads – Maintaining Workforce, Infrastructure, and Technology Preeminence in the Coming Decades” (full report) “The committee offers seven “core findings” that, in its view, rise to the highest level of priority. These issues often have cross-cutting connotations that impact more than one of the three resource areas cited in the legislation mentioned above and are interrelated. The committee’s findings regarding these high priority “core” issues are as follows:”

Jon McBride (1943–2024), NASA astronaut and space shuttle pilot: “Jon McBride was a NASA astronaut, test pilot, and space shuttle pilot who flew the first-ever mission with seven people on board has died of Alzheimer’s disease and cancer at the age of 80.”

Keith’s note: Lorna Onizuka has died. I met her several times when I was on the board of directors of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education. She was very nice and gracious. Ad Astra Lorna.

Astronaut Joe Engle, pioneer of winged spacecraft — Kansas native, dies at 91, JC Post. Ad Astra

Keith’s note: Sources report that former JPL director and planetary science leged Ed Stone has died. Details to follow. Ad Astra Ed. Update from JPL: Ed Stone, Former Director of JPL and Voyager Project Scientist, Dies

Keith’s Note: according to William Anders, Apollo 8 astronaut, killed in San Juan Islands plane crash: “Retired American astronaut William Anders, who was a member of the Apollo 8 crew, was killed in a plane crash just off the San Juan Islands on Friday afternoon. Anders’ son, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Anders, confirmed the death to The Associated Press. The plane that crashed was a vintage Air Force T-34 Mentor, which is owned by Anders, who is also a San Juan County resident.” I met Mr. Anders at an event that Leroy Chiao and I put on at LSU with Sean O’Keefe. He was totally approachable and funny and went into incredible detail about his mission including the famous ‘Earthrise” pictures. Ad Astra. Update: NASA Administrator Remembers Apollo Astronaut William Anders

According to NASA: “Renowned ozone scientist Dr. Richard “Rich” Stolarski died on February 22, 2024, at age 82 from the complications of prostate cancer. Rich was born at Fort Lewis, WA on November 22, 1941. Rich joined NASA in 1974 at the Manned Space Center (now the Johnson Space Center) as a research physicist in the Environmental Effects Projects Office. He moved to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in 1976 to join the fledgling Stratospheric Physics and Chemistry Branch. Rich was branch head (1979 – 1985) and a research scientist (1985 – 2010). He was the Program Scientist for the Atmospheric Effects of the Stratospheric Aircraft program at NASA headquarters from 1992 to 1995. From 2010 until his passing, Rich was a NASA Goddard Emeritus scientist and a Research Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Johns Hopkins University.” Ad Astra.

Keith’s note: The following was sent out the other day after news of firings at NASA Public Affairs started to appear on social media (see screen grab from one fired employee below): “As many of you are aware, the spending caps enacted by Congress for fiscal year 2024 and 2025 are requiring many organizations like ours to make hard choices. We are not unique, and, unfortunately, we have had to make difficult decisions that affect some of our team. After thorough analysis and review of all available options, we are reducing some requirements at Goddard, Marshall and HQ on the eMITS and SRACES contracts. These decisions were not made lightly and do not reflect on the outstanding and tireless work of the communications team. While they will no doubt have impact, our core mission remains unchanged– we will continue to tell the incredible NASA story and inspire all to reach for the stars. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me, Michelle Jones or Wes Brown with any questions or concerns you may have. Together, we will navigate these challenges. Marc Etkind Associate Administrator for Communications”

Keith’s note: the following was sent by Lori Glaze: Dear Colleagues, I’m writing to tell you about some near-term leadership changes in the Planetary Science Division (PSD).

Keith’s note: My friend Jeff Bingham has died. There would probably be no space station and certainly no ISS National Lab without his valiant efforts over the decades – mostly behind the scenes at NASA and in Congress. I spoke with him by Facetime on Monday. We were laughing. AdAstra Jeff.

Keith’s note: according to his Full obituary: “Darrell Glenn Bailey, 65, passed away on April 24, 2024, while enjoying his favorite pastime of cycling with friends from around north Alabama. Born in Wurzburg, Germany, Darrell grew up in Liberty, NC. where he graduated from Southeast Guilford High School. He earned his dual degree in math and physics from The University of North Carolina-Greensboro where he met his future wife, Phyllis Crumbley Bailey. After graduating from college, he moved to Huntsville, Alabama to pursue his career at NASA where he faithfully worked for 41 years. Most recently, Darrell served as the lead of the Integrated Avionics Test Facilities for the Space Launch System Program.” Ad Astra.

Keith’s note: Apurva Varia, Mission Operations Director for Parker Solar Probe and Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX), and Deputy Mission Operations Director Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) at NASA GSFC has died suddenly. I never met him but I often heard glowing, kind words about him – and I was supposed to look him up the next time I was at GSFC and have a chat in ASL with him. The following is from a friend of mine, Eric Shear, who posted this on Facebook: “It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that Apurva Varia passed away on April 24th after a massive stroke. He was visiting his children at Duke University. Besides his work as a director of three interplanetary missions at NASA Goddard, Apurva and I flew together as the only two deaf flyers on AstroAccess Flight 1 in 2021. Until then, I had not met any other deaf people who shared my dream of becoming an astronaut. He not only was serious about it, he had already attained much of the necessary background. During our brief time together, he taught me some of the things he learned working in an all-hearing environment at NASA, while I used my 2011 experience to prepare him for the thrill of weightlessness. I was struck by his calm nature, his patience and kindness with the hearing AstroAccess crew who did not sign as well as him, his facility with the media, and his deep knowledge of space systems. To remember him, here are several photos of him before and during Flight 1.” Ad Astra Apurva – Some videos below.

Keith’s note: Sources report that the internal NASA Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process has included discussion of a possible RIF in FY 2025. The budget is that bad folks. Stay tuned. Maybe Senator Administrator Bill Nelson can enlighten everyone as to how bad the NASA budget situation really is. NASA is not going to be doing a robust Artemis program or MSR or many of other big new things it wants to do in a budget environment with RIFs. RIFs can be brutal, pit one employee against another, decimate morale, and prompt people to find a more secure job.

Keith’s note: the archetype for NASA outreach – beyond space enthusiasts – was the original NASA Art Program during Apollo. It expressed in images what math and physics could not. I recall seeing these images as a young boy and they served to heighten the excitement of what lay ahead. I am willing to state that everything NASA has done with and for the arts since that time has its roots in this program – including such things as the Golden Record on the twin Voyagers and the Pale Blue Dot image. According to “James Dean, Founding Director of NASA Art Program, Dies at 92 (NY Times): “James Dean, a landscape painter who ran a NASA program that invited artists like Robert Rauschenberg, Norman Rockwell and Jamie Wyeth to document aspects of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo projects, died on March 22 in Washington. He was 92. … Mr. Dean believed that artists offered a perspective that could not be found in photographs. “Their imaginations enable them to venture beyond a scientific explanation of the stars, the moon and the outer planets,” Mr. Dean and Bert Ulrich wrote in their book, “NASA/ART: 50 Years of Exploration” (2008).” Ad astra James Dean.

Keith’s note: George Abbey has died. It is not an understatement to note that he has left an indelible and enduring mark on NASA and human spaceflight. They only make one of these models once in a generation. Ad Astra George. From the Abbey Family: “Our devoted father, mentor, guidepost, and hero, George W. S. Abbey, passed away last night after an illness. He was 91.”

Keith’s note: A lot of things in space are the direct result of Jeff’s quiet, diligent, and inspired work behind the scenes at both NASA and Congress over the decades. Jeff could use a hand right about now. Go to the Jeff Bingham Cancer Treatment and Care Fund and please consider making a donation. Thanks.