A new report sent to Congress predicts that NASA could cut hundreds of jobs at the Johnson Space Center in the next few years, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.
The report projects 1,400 or more layoffs of civil servants and contractors between 2010 and 2011.
NASA said the jobs of training, mission, launching operation and maintenance would not be needed for one to five years while it prepares to launch its new space craft, Orion.
Some workers said that's too long to be without a job.
"All the trained people … better to pay them and give them something else to do," Kevin Tones said.
"Hopefully we can keep most of them because we'll need trained people for new programs," Joachim Peek said.
If there are layoffs, area businesses could also feel the pinch.
"I'm sure we would hurt," said Justine Sones of Boondoggles, a popular eatery near NASA. "We'd miss regulars coming for 11 years."
NASA plans to present its final report to President Barack Obama's administration in late August.
