NASA responded to news that Boeing aims to lay off up to 400 workers from its Space Launch System program. The SLS rocket plays a key role in the Artemis moon program, the agency said.

Boeing already announced 141 layoffs amid its Florida operations that were part of intentions announced in 2024 to lay off 10% of about 170,000 employees nationwide. Those included 26 at KSC offices, where its Starliner spacecraft is manufactured, and another 20 in Titusville, the home of Boeing’s Space and Launch Division headquarters.

Boeing has notified employees of possible layoffs due to potential changes in NASA’s Artemis program, a flagship initiative to extend human and commercial space operations from low Earth orbit into cislunar space and the Moon’s surface.

Boeing informed its Space Launch System (SLS) team of potential layoffs, a worrying sign that NASA’s Moon rocket may be at risk after massive cost overruns and schedule delays. And also Trump.

The Trump administration's potential cancellation of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) program could lead to hundreds of Boeing workers losing their jobs.

Boeing warned on Saturday of layoffs in its Space Launch System moon rocket program, saying it expects to have about 400 fewer positions in line with revisions to NASA's Artemis program and cost expectations.

On Friday, with less than an hour's notice, David Dutcher, Boeing's vice president and program manager for the SLS rocket, scheduled an all-hands meeting for the approximately 800 employees working on the program.

A 60-day notice of involuntary layoffs will be issued to affected employees by the Seattle-based aerospace manufacturer in the coming weeks.

About 400 workersat Boeing’s Space Launch System moon rocket program are set to lose jobs after the US planemaker warned on Saturday of layoffs due to revisions to NASA's Artemis program and cost expectations.