NASA's JPL Announces Major Layoffs Amid Budget Cuts for Mars Mission

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory will lay off 530 employees and 40 contractors due to reduced funding for the Mars Sample Return mission, sparking bipartisan criticism.

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) announces layoffs of 530 employees and 40 contractors due to budget cuts, affecting 8% of its workforce.
The layoffs are a response to a significant reduction in funding for the Mars Sample Return mission, with NASA instructing JPL to expect a budget of $300 million, a 63% drop.
Bipartisan criticism from California's Congressional delegation, with calls to reverse the budget cuts and restore funding to the Mars Sample Return mission.
The layoffs come amid challenges for the Mars Sample Return mission, a partnership with the European Space Agency aimed at bringing Martian soil back to Earth.
Employees affected by the layoffs will receive their salary for 60 days, along with severance packages and transitional benefits.