Pete Worden | |
|---|---|
 Pete Worden, official photo portrait as NASA Ames Research Center director | |
| Born | October 21, 1949 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan University of Arizona |
| Known for | Chairman of the Breakthrough Prize Foundation / former Director of NASA Ames Research Center |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Astrophysicist, U.S. Air Force General |
| Thesis | Solar Supergranulation (1975) |
Simon Peter Worden (born 1949, in Michigan) is formerly the Director of NASA's Ames Research Center (ARC) at Moffett Field, California, until his retirement on March 31, 2015. Prior to joining NASA, he held several positions in the United States Air Force and was research professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona, Tucson. He is a recognized expert on space issues – both civil and military. Worden has authored or co-authored more than 150 scientific papers in astrophysics, space sciences, and strategic studies. He served as a scientific co-investigator for two NASA space science missions, and received the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal for the 1994 Clementine mission. He was named the 2009 Federal Laboratory Consortium Laboratory Director of the Year.[1]
Worden announced his planned resignation from NASA in February 2015, indicating he would be pursuing "some long-held dreams in the private sector".[2]
On July 20, 2015 at the Royal Society in London, Yuri Milner and Stephen Hawking launched the Breakthrough Initiatives. At the press conference Pete Worden was introduced as the Chairman for the Breakthrough Prize Foundation. In this new role, Worden is tasked to run the Breakthrough Initiatives.[3] [4]
- ^ "NASA Ames Director Named Federal Laboratory Director of 2009". NASA Ames Research Center. February 17, 2009. Archived from the original on April 20, 2009. Retrieved February 17, 2009.
- ^ Berger, Brian; Leone, Dan (26 February 2015). "Pete Worden Leaving NASA To Pursue Private Sector Dreams". Space News. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ "Billionaire Milner pledges $100 MLN to find intelligent life in space | Reuters". Reuters. 20 July 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-10-11. Retrieved 2017-07-01.
- ^ "The optimistic gamble | The Economist". The Economist.