Message From The Administrator: NASA and Sequestration “NASA’s situation is somewhat unique from many other agencies. We have safely and efficiently phased out the Space Shuttle Program and managed existing programs to conservative spending levels. This has postured us so that we do not plan to resort to furloughs at this time for NASA employees to meet our spending reductions under sequestration. Nevertheless, this still will be a difficult situation […]

Former NASA Workers Struggle To Find Work A Year After Program’s End, AP “A year after NASA ended the three-decade-long U.S. space shuttle program, thousands of formerly well-paid engineers and other workers around the Kennedy Space Center are still struggling to find jobs to replace the careers that flourished when shuttles blasted off from the Florida “Space Coast.”

NASA Exercises Contract Option For TDRS-M Satellite Decision Will Retain Hundreds Of Jobs “NASA has elected to exercise the first of two available contract options for procurement of an additional Tracking Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) from Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc. of El Segundo, Calif. The estimated value of the contract option is $289 million and extends the period of performance through April 2024. Exercising the option will allow Boeing Satellite […]

Stennis Space Center Gears For Takeoff, WDSU “A major move at the Stennis Space Center is paving the way for jobs and expansion on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Officials said NASA and Stennis are officially taking over the 1.6 million square feet former Mississippi Army ammunition plant, which will become available for new government and commercial ventures that support the NASA mission. “Appropriate investment in the rocket testing infrastructure here […]

Latest round of NASA cutting threatens 600 jobs in Huntsville, Huntsville Times “The latest round of NASA downsizing is threatening another 600 Huntsville jobs, officials said Thursday. How many will actually be laid off isn’t clear, but is expected to be fewer than the number warned in accordance with federal law. U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, said Friday that NASA leaders told Alabama lawmakers three weeks ago that upcoming layoffs […]

Nearly 300 more aerospace jobs threatened in Huntsville, Huntsville Times “Nearly 300 more aerospace jobs are threatened in Huntsville as Marshall Space Flight Center moves to what its director calls “a smaller, leaner center.” Jacobs Technology ESTS group notified 281 workers in writing last week that their jobs could end on or before Oct. 1, the beginning of the federal government’s new 2012 fiscal year. Jacobs has been Marshall’s primary […]

Ala. NASA center cutting up to 300 jobs, AP “Center spokesman Dominic Amatore told The Huntsville Times on Wednesday that a combination of factors led to the layoffs. He cites the lack of a federal budget for this year, continued funding by stop-gap measures and cuts in this year’s budget including nearly $300 million removed from the line-item that funds general operations at all of NASA’s centers.” NASA’s Marshall Space […]

KSC workers refocus as cuts creep closer, Florida Today “Losing a job is one of life’s most stressful events, and on Oct. 1, more than 900 workers will leave KSC for what could be the last time. The overall loss of aerospace jobs as the space shuttle program ends next year is expected to surpass 8,000. A job loss can bring a wide range of emotions, experts said, including hopelessness, […]

Kosmas Discusses Space Coast Economic Development with Local Officials, Rep. Kosmas “We must explore every possible option for creating new job opportunities along the Space Coast to preserve our community’s highly-skilled workforce,” said Suzanne Kosmas “I have made it a priority to ensure that those on the local level are able to create and implement the vision for our community’s future. We have a great opportunity to strengthen and diversify […]

Keith’s note: According to one MSFC reader: “It’s basically “say goodbye to Ares Day” here. Managers and branch chiefs are in meetings all morning. There is an all-hands meeting at 2:00 pm. “Tough times ahead” is acknowledged by many.” Rep. Bishop responds to NASA’s efforts to end the Constellation, Cache Valley Daily “This recent directive handed down by NASA officials shows blatant disregard for the laws set forth by Congress […]