Yeah try searching for “star trek socialism” on YT or wherever, you’d be surprised.
But apart from the series specifically there is at least some theorizing that space exploration is only possible after capitalism has been abolished since the energy and cooperation alone required to make it work on a meaningful scale is not possible under capitalism. We need the unleashing of productive forces that only communism can provide.
Aaaaaaand of course there are the Posadists. Google them for a good chuckle!
Although this surely does not completely explain the situation, I also have a feeling these sorts of hires surely account for a substantial number of layoffs.