Demise of Shuttle Program Leads to Layoffs

HOUSTON (AP) _ NASA’s top space contractor plans to lay off about 15 percent of its shuttle-related work force, effective Oct. 1.

Houston-based United Space Alliance is day-to-day manager of the U.S. space shuttle fleet and handles NASA’s International Space Station planning, training and operations. In a Tuesday statement, it said 800 to 1,000 shuttle-related workers in Florida, 300 to 400 in Texas and about 10 in Alabama will be laid off.

Just two missions remain in the shuttle program, scheduled for launch no sooner than Nov. 1 and Feb. 26.

Alliance President Virginia Barnes says all laid-off workers will receive severance compensation and access to help with resume development and training for job interviews and career transitions.

USA is a consortium of The Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp.

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