JPL is not operated under an NSF grant, or any other grant. This isn't NASA being a patron, it's NASA paying CalTech for its services to NASA. CalTech operates

JPL is not operated under an NSF grant, or any other grant. This isn't NASA being a patron, it's NASA paying CalTech for its services to NASA. CalTech operates JPL under contract with NASA, according to NASA's directions. NASA even has its own staff on-site overseeing the work. This is a business relationship, established under 48 CFR 35.017, part of the Federal Acquisition Regulations: http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/35.017 http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/35.017