NASA will temporarily suspend production and testing of Space Launch System and Orion hardware.

The announcement was made by Administrator Jim Bridenstine.

"The NASA and contractors teams will complete an orderly shutdown that puts all hardware in a safe condition until work can resume. Once this is complete, personnel allowed onsite will be limited to those needed to protect life and critical infrastructure," Bridenstine said.

NASA is also moving the agency’s Michoud Assembly Facility and Stennis Space Center to Stage 4 of the NASA Response Framework, effective Friday, March 20.

The change at Stennis was made due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the community around the center, the number of self-isolation cases within NASA's workforce there, and one confirmed case among our Stennis team. "While there are no confirmed cases at Michoud, the facility is moving to Stage 4 due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the local area, in accordance with local and federal guidelines," Bridenstine added.

Bridenstine said that there will be impacts to NASA missions.

Mandatory telework is already in effect for NASA personnel at both facilities until further notice. Additionally, all travel is suspended.