Get to grips with the key points of this story in our one-minute read:
- NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab staff must return to full-time, on-site work by late 2025, ending years of remote operations since the pandemic.
- Employees who don’t return by the deadline will be considered to have resigned, with only rare exceptions allowed.
- Why now? Facing budget pressures and big missions ahead, JPL leaders say in-person teamwork is essential for innovation and problem-solving.
- JPL is the powerhouse behind legendary missions like Voyager, Cassini, Juno and Perseverance, making this shift a major move for NASA’s robotic exploration.
- The return is about more than logistics; JPL says it’s a push to rekindle mentoring, spontaneous collaboration, and the creative sparks that drive space discovery.
Want to know more? Read our full story, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory calls staff back into the office
