Space shuttle contractors to shed 1,000 workers

Since the final space shuttle flight landed on July 21, about 1,000 employees will be cut from the program by the end of August.

About 1,000 space shuttle employees will lose their jobs in the month of August, reports Space News.

The good news: two major space shuttle contractors -- United Space Alliance (USA) and Boeing -- will shed less workers this month than earlier predicted, though at least one other company will lay off more than estimated, the article said.

USA, NASA's main shuttle contractor, will lay off 515 workers on August 12 and will cut another 285 jobs by August 31, in addition to the previous termination of 1,550 employees after the final space shuttle landing on July 21.

Boeing said it will cut about 260 jobs.