NASA Jet Propulsion Lab Lays Off 300 Engineers

Ghost of Von Karmen writes "NASA JPL, the lab that brought us missions such as Voyager, Cassini, and the Mars Exploration Rovers will eliminate about 300 engineering related positions due to Congressional budget cuts, according to various sources. The cuts reflect a change in emphasis away from robotic technology and toward human exploration of space. Prof. Elachi, head of JPL has indicated that the lab may pursue Department of Defense contracts to minimize additional reductions in personnel."

Comments

I know why

[bl00d6789]

The cuts reflect a change in emphasis away from robotic technology and toward human exploration of space.

Because fake moon landings are so much more compelling than fake Mars rover landings! ;-)

Re:Yeah right

[JeffSh]

i think this could be the first +5, Troll i've ever seen on slashdot.

not to over simplify (but oh, the irony)

[yagu]

From the article and slashdot post:

cuts reflect a change in emphasis away from robotic technology and toward human exploration of space

I know it's way over simplifying, but does anyone sense a certain irony that now as we move to a payload of humans in space travel rather than robotics, the workforce to support that is reduced?

NASA chief sent from future to stop robots...

[first_tracks]

don't worry, this is a good thing... the NASA chief was actually sent from the future to stop advances in robotic technology in order to thwart the rise of terminator robots in the near future. The key space-time point is to stop a lowly intern from sending up some new programming to the Mars rovers early next year that, coupled with a lightening strike on Mars, will give rise to sentient intelligence on the rover which will build an army of invading rovers each equipped with rock drill bits that will kill us all by taking core samples through our foreheads. Good work Elachi!

Re:Write your Congressman TODAY!

[Xyrus]

Stupid and short-sighted? Tell me, does the government work any other way?

~X~

Re:Priorities

[Lord Omlette]

Iraq would have a Moon base by now.

I'm convincned the only way to get Americans to give 2 shits about space travel is to tell them there might be Muslims on the Moon. But then I realize that'll only get the public interested in bombing space instead of exploring it.