NASA now hiring someone to protect Earth from alien invasion!
Have you always wanted to be an apocalyptic hero? Do you have what it takes to be the protector of mankind during an alien invasion? If yes, NASA is looking for you and would also pay you a high salary! While it sounds like a sci-fi fantasy, NASA really wants a 'Planetary Protection Officer' and is accepting applications till 14 August. Here's more!
NASA just wants to avoid cross-contamination
NASA works hard to carry out various outer space-related studies and missions; they may also include something dangerous. "Protecting Earth from aliens" may be a bit of a stretch but the space agency wants a Planetary Protection Officer to ensure that Earth's spacecraft don't contaminate other worlds; and also that they don't bring back some potentially dangerous alien microorganisms from space to Earth.
The job overview
In the job posting, NASA stated: "This position is assigned to Office of Safety and Mission Assurance for Planetary Protection. Planetary protection is concerned with the avoidance of organic-constituent and biological contamination in human and robotic space exploration."
NASA's Planetary Protection policies
NASA maintains planetary protection policies that apply to all its space missions. Its spacecraft may intentionally or unintentionally carry "Earth organisms and organic constituents" to other solar system bodies. Its spacecraft intended to return to Earth from other planets may carry "samples from extraterrestrial targets of exploration." NASA said the policy "is based on federal requirements and international treaties and agreements."
The current and sole planetary protector
At present, the NASA's office of planetary protection has only one member - the current Planetary Protection Officer Dr. Cassie Conley. She was appointed in 2014. It is still unclear whether NASA is looking for someone to replace Conley or work along with her.
More details about the exciting opportunity!
The Planetary Protection Officer job is a three-year contract (could be further extended for two years). NASA will pay a salary of $124,406-187,000 per year, but the security clearance for the post is "secret". The job was created in 1967 after the US ratified the Outer Space Treaty. One can apply for the job here; however, only US citizens and nationals are eligible.
Only two such positions available
The Planetary Protection Officer is only one of the two such full-time positions available on Earth. The current open position is with NASA, while the other one is with the European Science Agency.
