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The initial half of 2025 was anticipated to feature a series of eagerly awaited accomplishments for space exploration, which included the inaugural launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn, the subsequent flight of SpaceX’s Starship, as well as the revelation of a new framework for NASA’s Mars Sample Return mission. AmericaSpace even prepared two articles in anticipation of the New Glenn launch, which will still be published later this weekend. However, any enthusiasm surrounding these achievements has now been eclipsed by the wildfires that have devastated the Los Angeles region over the last four days. The magnitude of the disaster is heartbreaking, and the personnel of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have endured some of the most severe repercussions of this fire.
For individuals who are unaware of the scenario in Pasadena, this message commences with a brief overview of the fire, JPL’s crucial contribution to the space initiative, along with how the center has been affected by this calamity. If you are already familiar with this background and are seeking ways to assist the JPL community, please advance to the conclusion of the article for a link to the laboratory’s disaster relief fund.
Although JPL has been a pivotal participant in the United States’ space exploration efforts for more than 60 years, this moment definitely represents the most dangerous period in its existence. Wildfires pose a constant risk in California; however, they usually remain restricted to the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and do not encroach upon the densely populated Pasadena region. This week’s Eaton fire, however, represented a direct menace to the lab, and as of this moment, it continues to remain under some threat.
The wildfire’s occurrence can largely be attributed to abnormally dry conditions during winter in California. While the state is recognized for its arid summers, it generally receives several inches of rainfall from December through March. This past month, Los Angeles has received only 0.1 inches of precipitation. Coupled with strong winds generated by a high-pressure system to the east, this resulted in a worst-case scenario for the LA basin. The Eaton Fire ignited in the eponymous Eaton Canyon, a valley situated at the foot of Mount Wilson. Low-resolution images captured by local residents indicate that the ignition point was found close to a cluster of power lines, but the specific cause has not yet been ascertained.
The Eaton Fire rapidly expanded to the southeast, encroaching upon the town of Altadena. Situated on Altadena’s western boundary, JPL was also in its trajectory. At one point, flames were merely 2,000 feet (600 meters) away from the initial campus facilities, including the Flight Electronics Facility and the Mars Yard, which accommodates the ground-based duplicates of the Curiosity and Perseverance Mars rovers. Due to variable wind conditions, the fire ultimately halted its progress towards the lab. Nevertheless, it remains uncontrolled, hence JPL is still at some peril if the wind shifts direction again.
It would be an understatement to assert that JPL is invaluable. It is undeniably the globe’s foremost institution for robotic planetary exploration. JPL has developed numerous renowned NASA spacecraft, starting with Explorer 1, the United States’ first satellite. Among the missions that have departed from its premises are the Mariner probes, offering our initial view of the inner planets; the Surveyor landers confirming the safety of landing humans on the Moon; the twin Voyagers that accomplished the “Grand Tour” of the giant planets; the flagship Cassini mission directed at Saturn; and every Mars rover from Sojourner to Perseverance. JPL’s inventions facilitated the first flybys of all planets within the Solar System.
Facilities at JPL consist of two extensive cleanrooms designed for constructing and sterilizing planetary probes, a cutting-edge mission control center utilized for monitoring and directing them, along with numerous buildings that house various teams of engineers and scientists actively engaged in planetary missions at any given time.
Together with JPL, it is important to highlight that the Mount Wilson Observatory is facing a serious predicament. While it is no longer a forefront institution for astronomy, Mount Wilson holds a significant position in our space exploration legacy. It is the site where humanity first understood the vastness and dimensions of the universe. Utilizing Mount Wilson’s 100-inch telescope, Edwin Hubble identified the first galaxies outside the Milky Way and demonstrated that the universe is in flux. Nowadays, it functions as an educational hub that opens its grand telescopes to the public, effectively sharing the marvels of the night sky with the forthcoming generations. It provides a serene environment with breathtaking views of Los Angeles from over a mile high in the atmosphere. Unfortunately, one of the observatory’s structures has been confirmed to be lost, and the condition of its additional domes and towers is currently uncertain.
The prospective loss of astronomical heritage at JPL and Mount Wilson is disheartening. The human impact, however, is even more severe. Ultimately, organizations are only as exceptional as the individuals they employ. Structures are merely comprised of metal, computers, and glass; logos are nothing but a compilation of letters, hues, and symbols. Even if the Los Angeles Fire Department preserves JPL’s tangible resources, they will merely become hollow historical remnants without the dedicated personnel who contribute to their essence.
The sole reason that JPL has a lengthy track record of achievement spanning six decades is due to its 5,500 personnel. Numerous individuals opted to join JPL rather than pursuing more financially rewarding careers in the private sector, as they desired to engage in the magnificent venture of exploring the Solar System. During this journey, they willingly embraced the numerous risks tied to the center’s geographic position, which encompass earthquakes and droughts alongside wildfires.
The Eaton Fire has devastated the northern part of Altadena, an inviting and budget-friendly community where many JPL staff reside. According to JPL Director Laurie Leshin, over 150 employees from the center have been displaced from their homes, and this figure is anticipated to increase as evaluations of the damage continue in the following days. Entire neighborhoods, places of worship, educational institutions, and the Eaton Canyon State Park, a favored recreational area, have been lost to the community.
Personally, I have had the privilege to collaborate with JPL staff on various endeavors throughout the last decade. I attribute my career as a planetary scientist to their guidance and the numerous insights they have imparted to me. I can assert without hesitation that you shall never encounter a more friendly and inventive group of individuals. During this difficult period, they merit our support.
This is precisely why we encourage you to contribute to the Caltech/JPL Disaster Relief Fund. This initiative is overseen directly by the California Institute of Technology, which operates JPL. Every penny of your contribution will go toward aiding JPL and Caltech employees who have been displaced from their homes. The greater the donations we make, the more resources each affected individual will possess to sustain their families and commence the process of rebuilding their lives. Imagery from JPL missions has inspired countless individuals, both young and mature, to connect with their sense of curiosity and admire the wonders of the cosmos. The least we can do to acknowledge that contribution is to assist them during this critical time.
