Hundreds of shuttle contract workers to be laid off

HOUSTON The layoffs have been planned for months now due to the pending retirement of the space shuttle fleet. In all today, 333 USA workers will lose their jobs, primarily shuttle and constellation contractors on and near the Johnson Space Center.

But some jobs have been spared for now, thanks to the passage of the NASA Authorization bill. That bill adds another shuttle flight and calls for the development of a new space crew capsule.

"I really was concerned. There was talk of people leaving and the area being devastated," said homeowner Elena Gabb.

The NASA Authorization bill still needs the president's approval and that could come as early as today