[pixl97]

>Why can't LANL set up their own film developing and scanning lab

Are you asking why a government agency can't just magic up random money and employees during a time the parent government is saying privatization and getting rid of government employees is the way to go?

[cratermoon]

No. Perhaps I should have noted that LANL was established in 1943. They obviously used film, and more obviously would not have sent it to some random lab for processing. Did they lose that capability?

Also, LANL is an exception to general gutting of federal agencies. It's been given a record budget this FY. https://sourcenm.com/briefs/lanl-expecting-boon-from-congres... That budget was set in the Biden administration. The current administration wants to resume nuclear weapons testing. https://www.npr.org/2025/10/30/nx-s1-5590818/trump-nuclear-t...

Speaking of privatization, LANL is privately managed and operated by Triad National Security, LLC.