Earlier this month, NASA announced that it was looking for a Planetary Protection Officer. While various people discussed the job on social media, Jack Davis, 9, took it seriously and applied with a handwritten job application. From astronauts to Hollywood actors, every child prepares himself for a bright future. While some put aside their ambitions, other children are more determined to turn their dreams into reality. Jack feels that going to space and fighting aliens is easy, but it’s not.
Jack Davis’ letter to NASA
The American space agency received an interesting letter from this fourth grader.
Its announcement might have inspired several funny jokes and science fiction fantasies, but Jack took the position seriously and applied with a hand-written letter.
“My name is Jack, and I want to apply for the planetary protection officer position."
He further said that he had seen various space movies, and could learn to think like an alien. In short, Jack considered himself to be a fit for the role.
NASA’s response to his letter
James Green is the director of NASA’s Planetary Science Division. He replied to young Jack and explained why he was not suitable for the position.
“A Planetary Protection Officer is responsible for protecting the alien world from germs on human-launched spacecraft. He also defends the Earth from alien microbes,” James clarified.
The space agency could have dismissed the letter with a chuckle, but James Green decided to type, sign and mail a note back to Jack Davis.
NASA’s director Jonathan Rall called Davis and congratulated him on his interest in the position. He was encouraged to focus on his studies. Applicants should have an advanced degree in science or mathematics with three to five years of experience.
As Jack Davis is too little to be eligible for this role, he should continue his studies.
Although the Planetary Protection Officer position may not be in real-life what the title conjures up, it does play an influential role in promoting the responsible exploration of our planetary system by preventing microbial contamination of other planets and our own.
As of now, Jack Davis is not eligible for the job. He should, instead, continue his studies and score well. NASA may invite him to its headquarters in coming years.
A physicist named Sophia Nasr has commented on Davis’ job application. She wrote on social media that she adored NASA’s reply to the little boy.
