Gerald Soffen
Gerald A. Soffen | |
|---|---|
Washington, DC | |
| Occupation(s) | Life Scientist and Educator |
Gerald A. Soffen (February 7, 1926 – November 22, 2000) was a NASA scientist and educator who served in a wide variety of roles for the space agency, primarily dealing with either education or with life sciences—especially the search for life on Mars.
He earned his A.B.S. from the University of California, Los Angeles, his M.S. from University of Southern California, and his Ph.D. in Biology from Princeton University.[1] He pursued his postdoctoral work at New York University.[2]
Working from NASA's
He moved to become NASA Langley's Chief Environmental Scientist in 1968,[5] leading work on remote sensing by satellite as well as laboratory experiments, ground-based measurements, and theoretical models.
In 1978, after concluding his work with Viking, Soffen became the director of
In 1983, Soffen transferred from NASA Headquarters to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, Maryland. Initially, his role at GSFC focused on establishing the "Mission to Planet Earth" program; Soffen also served as the project scientist for NASA's Earth Observing System as that program was starting.
Soffen's focus shifted to education starting in 1990, when he led the formation of GSFC's University Programs office and became its manager. Three years into that role, Soffen created NASA Academy, NASA's premiere leadership training internship.[6] During 1990–1992, he served on the Science Advisory Committee for Biosphere 2.
Recognition
Soffen has been memorialized in several ways by his peers and former students. The "Dr. Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund for the Advancement of Space Science Education" was established by the NASA Academy Alumni Association "to continue Jerry's commitment to the future of space by supporting motivated students in the fields of space science and engineering".[7] The "Gerald Soffen Memorial Panel/Lecture" is also a feature of the annual Space Studies program conducted by International Space University.
The Viking 2 lander was posthumously named after Soffen.[8] Additionally, a crater on Mars was named "Soffen" in 2006.[9] The crater is centered at 23.73 degrees S, 140.86 degrees E on Mars.[10]
References
- ^ "Dr. Gerald Soffen, Dies". The NASA Academy. Archived from the original on 2009-09-10.
- ^ "Soffen, Gerald Alan - Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com.
- ^ "HQ Press RELEASE: H00-186, NASA ASTROBIOLOGY ARCHITECT, DR. GERALD SOFFEN, DIES" Archived 2006-09-30 at the Wayback Machine, NASA, November 24, 2000.
- ^ Nimoy, Leonard (1977). "In Search of Martians". Internet Movie Database. Landsburg Productions. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
- ^ "On Mars: Exploration of the Red Planet. 1958-1978". history.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
- ^ "NASA - Mars Scientist and Astrobiology Architect, Dr. Gerald Soffen, Dies". NASA.gov. 2000-11-24. Retrieved 2011-01-14.
- ^ "Dr. Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund for the Advancement of Space Science Education", NASA Academy Alumni Association, viewed Nov 28, 2006.
- ^ "Viking 2 Lander Renamed After Gerald Soffen", Space.com, July 20, 2001.
- ^ " Crater on Mars Named After Astrobiologist Gerald Soffen", SpaceRef.com, November 23, 2006.
- ^ "Planetary Names". planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2022-09-09.