During the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group last week , JPL Director Laurie Leshin highlighted changes that were made in an effort to fix some of the lingering problems at the research institute , SpaceNewsreported . “ The intercrossed work environment was a really big one , ” Leshin is cite as saying . “ We have change our policy around outside work . I had 5,000 JPLers on lab last Wednesday , so we are back . ”
In November 2022 , NASA released the effect of an independent follow-up board that was put together to examine thefuture of the Psyche missionto canvas a metallic element - racy asteroid . The mission missed its initial launching windowpane in August 2022 due to development holdup , but the circuit board pointed out issues at JPL that went far beyond just that one mission .
According to the review board , there were n’t enough faculty members present to help get mind into space on prison term , in gain to communicating consequence cause by faculty members working remotely following the covid-19 pandemic . The board also noted an unprecedented workload and a want of available resources at JPL .
NASA’s Perseverance rover being outfitted with its wheels at JPL on 11 December 2024.Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech
The results of the critique add-in also lead NASA to delay the launch of itsVERITAS(Venus Emissivity , Radio Science , InSAR , Topography , and Spectroscopy ) investigation for at least three years .
It ’s now been several calendar month since the report came out , with JPL now claiming that it ’s making progression with the identified institutional issues . apart from make the great unwashed take up on - internet site work , JPL ’s Leshin also sound out there were change in management . “ All of that leadership , both at the task level , directorate level and at the lab stratum , have exchange now since the major publication were there , ” SpaceNews quotes her as saying . “ We have a importantly gamy level of engagement . ”
The theme also point out that JPL had worry retaining its employees as it contend with the private space diligence reconnoitering aerospace railroad engineer . JPL ’s hiring and retention issue have “ really subsided , ” according to Leshin . “ The Gunter Grass is maybe not always as fleeceable as mass would anticipate it is , ” she added , seemingly suggest at the work conditions at private blank space companies .
The Psyche deputation , on data track to launch in October , will attempt to disclose the extraction of a 140 - mil - wide ( 226 - kilometer ) asteroid by the same name . But for fans of the planet Venus who had already been waiting age for a mission dedicated to the study of the scorching hot planet , the delay of VERITAS hit severely . JPL still has more work to do to rectify its institutional issues and hopefully win back the dissatisfied Venus nerds .
MORE : Why Venus Is Soon to Be the Most Exciting Place in the Solar System
CaliforniaDiscovery ProgramNASAPsycheSpacecraft
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