Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Image credit: JPL/Caltech

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California is home base for building pioneering spacecraft that have probed every planet in our solar system, including the Sun.

Federally funded by NASA and managed by Caltech, JPL and its cadre of engineers and scientists are being led by Laurie Leshin, the first woman to serve as JPL director, taking on that role in May 2022.

Leshin’s career path prior to running JPL draws from her work as a leading geochemist and space scientist, along with stints in academia and government, including holding senior NASA positions.

Now the helmswoman at JPL, Leshin points to space technology achievements, but has also been plagued by program setbacks and beleaguered by space budget woes, heightened by the cost-overrun, mega-dollar needs of the distressed JPL-led Mars Sample Return project.

Credit: JPL/Caltech

Budget uncertainty and shortfalls

In adjusting to NASA budgetary uncertainty and shortfalls, Leshin announced last February a JPL workforce reduction through layoffs. “It was very difficult and painful from a human perspective,” she said, “among the largest layoffs that we’ve ever had.”

For my SpaceNews interview with Leshin, go to – “JPL chief Laurie Leshin on science, Mars and budget infighting” – at:

https://spacenews.com/jpl-chief-laurie-leshin-science-mars-budget-infighting/