By: Matt Stroshane/Getty Images News

According to news reports, About 1,000 Space Shuttle workers will get the dreaded pink slip, as NASA falls victim to a lack-luster economy and a retiring Space Shuttle program. Due to the Shuttle’s pending retirement, about 1,000 Space Shuttle workers will be out of a job. As many as up to 7,000 more additional workers will be apart of the ripple effect of layoffs. The next shuttle departures are scheduled for November and February. It is possible that a third could take place in the summer of 2011.  Workers in Florida, Texas and Alabama will be affected. High operating costs is being cited as one reason for the layoffs.

Earlier this year, President Barack Obama decided to do away with the Shuttle’s replacement Constellation. As an alternative, he  proposed a $6 billion dollar fund for future commercial space projects.

C.C. Mitchell