Boeing Prepares for 400 Layoffs as NASA Reaffirms Artemis Moon Rocket's Role

NASA calls the Space Launch System 'essential' while Boeing announces potential job cuts tied to Artemis program cost revisions.

Boeing has notified employees of potential layoffs affecting approximately 400 positions by April 2025, citing cost adjustments in NASA's Artemis program.
NASA reiterated the Space Launch System (SLS) as critical to its Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface by 2027.
The Artemis program faces scrutiny over the SLS's high costs, with critics suggesting SpaceX's Starship could provide a more economical alternative for lunar missions.
The SLS, developed under a cost-plus contract, has faced delays and budget overruns, with each launch estimated to cost over $4 billion.
SpaceX's Starship, contracted as the lunar lander for Artemis III, is being developed under a fixed-price agreement, creating contrasting cost structures between the two systems.