Boeing has announced significant layoffs at its Titusville office and Kennedy Space Center (KSC) starting in January, affecting its operations on the Space Coast. The aerospace company will let go of 26 employees at KSC and 20 in Titusville, which is home to Boeing’s Starliner capsule.
Concerns are rising among space experts, who fear these cuts may signal the beginning of larger layoffs that could jeopardize the entire space program. A recent letter to employees reveals that 141 workers across Florida will be laid off on January 17.
Ken Kremer, a local space expert and founder of Space UpClose, expressed his worries, stating, “I’m very concerned, very concerned. I’m very concerned for the people and the program.” Former NPR space correspondent David Denault echoed his concerns, saying, “Any cuts we have here in our area might be significant, and it could slow that whole program down.”
The potential slowdown is especially troubling for NASA, which relies on Boeing to transport astronauts to and from space. Experts fear that the cuts could have a negative impact on the Starliner program. “I think this is really bad for the Starliner program,” Kremer said. “I think this sends a terrible message.”
Since the troubled Starliner spacecraft returned to Earth, progress has been slow, and Boeing has been tight-lipped about addressing the issues. Denault noted the lack of enthusiasm, saying, “It’s like, we’re going to keep this under wraps and see how this develops.”
Boeing’s statement regarding the layoffs indicated that they are adjusting workforce levels in alignment with the company’s “financial reality” and shifting priorities. However, some are skeptical about the company’s commitment to space. Kremer suggested the possibility of Boeing selling its space division, saying, “I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they sell their space division.”
While Boeing has not commented on the possibility of selling off its space program, the company has also not confirmed how many workers in Brevard County will be impacted by the layoffs.
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