NASA’s recent job posting for a planetary protection officer inspired a fourth-grader to become the next real-life guardian of Earth.
Upon posting a job opening for “Planetary Protection Officer,” NASA space agency has received countless applications, but none as original and adorable as that of Jack Davis, a 9-year-old boy who has all the qualifications to be a “guardian of the galaxy.”
“My name is Jack Davis and I would like to apply for the planetary protection officer job,” the fourth-grader wrote in a letter. “I may be nine, but I think I would be fit for the job.”
“I have seen almost all the space and alien movies I can see,” he explained. “I have also seen the show Marvel Agents of Shield and hope to see the movie Men in Black.”
NASA replied to the letter and Jack even got a phone call from Planetary Research Director Jonathan Rall.
“It’s about protecting Earth from tiny microbes when we bring back samples from the Moon, asteroids and Mars. It’s also about protecting other planets and moons from our germs as we responsibly explore the Solar System,” Dr. James L Green, director of NASA’s Planetary Science Division, wrote.
NASA encouraged Jack and others to study hard and to one day become the real “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
NASA’s planetary protection officer is responsible for protecting Earth from extraterrestrial microbes contained in samples brought back from human and robotic space missions to the moon, asteroids or Mars, according to the statement.
Although Davis will have to wait a few years before he can work at NASA, the Liberty Science Center in New Jersey has invited him to be the official kid science advisor at the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium.