NASA Internal Employee Memo: An Update to the Furlough

While many of you may not immediately see this message, I wanted to send a note of thanks to the entire NASA family. Your dedication is an inspiration to everyone caught up in this furlough and your ongoing work is vital to the safety and success of NASA.

During a lapse in funding by the federal government there are many routines and procedures that must be followed. Many of these happen behind the scenes. However, one of those procedures will be visible as a second round of furlough notices will be distributed. After the first 30 days during a lapse of funding, agencies are required to deliver another furlough notice. You do not need to take any additional action.

I want you to know how much I appreciate your patience and commitment during this unique time in American history. I understand this furlough is a real hardship for many of you and while civil servants will eventually receive back pay, the situation is not as clear for many of our family members in the contracting community. We are working with procurement and contracting officers to mitigate the impacts for you as we all look forward to the ultimate resolution of this lapse in appropriations.

The hard work of both our civil servants and contractors is deeply appreciated. You are performing with incredible focus and determination to ensure the safety of the crew on the International Space Station and the continued safe operations of our missions in space and in development here on the ground.

Again, I want to express my deepest thanks for your understanding and your patience during this furlough, and we look forward to an expeditious solution so all of us can get back to work advancing new frontiers in science, technology, and space exploration.

Please remember that vital information is being added to NASA’s furlough website on a regular basis, so please visit often. The link to the website is: https://nasapeople.nasa.gov/shutdown/shutdown.htm.

You help make history each and every day, and you are part of an agency that betters our understanding of the universe and our life here at home. I want everyone to get back to that important work as soon as possible.

Ad astra,

Jim Bridenstine