Judging by Their Job Listing, NASA Needs a Hero to Protect the Planet!
Calling all out-of-work Men in Black agents, the Avengers and maybe even Star-Lord from Guardians of the Galaxy. A position just opened up suited for their talents in NASA - the Planetary Protection Officer. This is no joke.
On USA Jobs and NASA - both government websites - you'll find the details of an open position at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration literally called Planetary Protection Officer. The position has gone viral for multiple reasons:
- Who wouldn't want that at the top of their resume!?
- The pay? Between $124,406 and $187,000 per year.
- Free parking in space I imagine...
NASA noticed how popular this job opening was yesterday and Tweeted this video - probably to sift out the duds when they realized they wouldn't be flying in space equipped with a jet pack, laser gun and a license to kill.
The person chosen for this role, according to the listing:
... is responsible for the leadership of NASA's planetary protection capability, maintenance of planetary protection policies, and oversight of their implementation by NASAs space flight missions.
Basically, as CNN points out, the position needs someone to protect the planet from "organic-constituent and biological contamination in human and robotoic space exploration."
We don't want space dust in our water and we don't want to pollute space!
Per NASA, "planetary protection is concerned with the avoidance of organic-constituent and biological contamination in human and robotic space exploration".