Attention space lovers: NASA has just the job for you.
As anyone who has been on the internet in the past week will know, NASA made waves when it announced that it would be hiring someone on as a “planetary protection officer.” The job description said that the person hired would be in charge of making sure no alien life forms (like microbes) found their way to Earth—and vice versa.
The job would pay a six-figure salary. And all of this sounded great to one special boy.
After reading about it online, nine-year-old Jack Davis decided to apply.
After getting his application together, writing his arguments about why he would be the best man for the job, Davis threw his hat in the ring and sent the letter. As an added flourish, he addressed the bottom: “Jack Davis, Guardian of the Galaxy.”
Needless to say, Davis’s adorable letter went massively viral.
Still, the story continued after Davis’s letter reached Dr. James L. Green.
Green is NASA’s Director of Planetary Science and he was moved by young Davis’s enthusiasm and conviction. After some deliberation, Green decided not to hire Davis for the job. But he couldn’t leave it at that.
Moved by Davis’s words, Green decided to write him back:
The letter congratulates Jack on being a “Guardian of the Galaxy” and explains a little about the job:
“Our Planetary Protection Officer position is really cool and is very important work. 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 moons as we responsibly explore the Solar System.”
It goes on to encourage Davis to apply again later:
“We are always looking for bright future scientists and engineers to help us, so I hope you will study hard and do well in school. We hope to see you here at NASA one of these days!”
Hopefully, NASA will work with Davis in the future!
Above all, this story is moving not only for Davis’s adorable letter but for NASA’s big-hearted response. It’s important to encourage kids to care about the world they live in and to participate in solving problems that all of humanity shares.
After all, even a young Neil DeGrasse Tyson wrote to Carl Sagan for advice as a young man!
Thanks for being a Guardian of the Galaxy, Jack!
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