Bezos’ Rocket Company cuts 10% of workforce after first Orbital launch

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Blue Origin the rocket company founded by Jeff Bezos is cutting 10% of its workforce, a move announced just a month after the successful debut of its New Glenn rocket. The rocket reached orbit on its first attempt marking a significant achievement for the company. CEO Dave Limp communicated the news to employees on Thursday with notifications going out on Friday.

In an email obtained by The Associated Press Limp described the decision as difficult explaining that the company's rapid growth over the past few years led to increased bureaucracy and a loss of focus. He stated that the layoffs were necessary to accelerate manufacturing and improve the launch rate of its rockets.

Blue Origin, based in Kent, Washington, launches its New Glenn rockets from Florida and smaller New Shepard rockets from Texas. Like its competitor SpaceX Blue Origin has secured contracts with NASA to land astronauts on the moon in the coming years. The exact number of employees impacted by the layoffs remains unclear as Blue Origin a privately-held company does not disclose its employment figures.