NASA scientist Dr. Gerald Soffen, who led the Viking science team that performed the first experiments on the surface of the planet Mars and was a guiding force in NASA's effort to search for life elsewhere in the universe, died Nov. 22 at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. He was 74.
A close advisor to NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin, Soffen helped shape NASA's Astrobiology program. He also was instrumental in the establishment of the NASA Astrobiology Institute, a virtual organization comprising NASA centers, universities and research organizations dedicated to studying the origin, evolution, distribution and destiny of life in the universe.
"Dr. Soffen brought a vision and passion to space exploration that was remarkable," said Goldin. "His pioneering work on the Viking missions paved the way for the creation of our astrobiology effort. Gerry's lasting legacy to us is he helped usher in a new era of discovery that will bring a new understanding of fundamental life processes on Earth and throughout our universe."
Soffen served as project scientist of the Viking Mars Project while at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. Viking 1's lander touched down on Mars on July 20, 1976. Viking 2's followed less than two months later.
Soffen joined NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in 1983 where he helped to establish the Mission to Planet Earth program and served as project scientist for the Earth Observing System at its beginning. Soffen formed the University Programs Office at Goddard in 1990, and for the past 10 years he directed activities and programs designed to maintain and broaden the center's interaction with the university community.
"Science and students were his loves," said Goddard Space Flight Center Director Al Diaz. "He was one of the finest scientists I had had the pleasure to work with. He was a brilliant researcher, but what made Gerry really special was his lifelong passion for sharing his extraordinary knowledge with young people. The agency and the nation will continue to benefit enormously from the talented young people he has brought into the scientific community."
In 1993, Soffen created the NASA Academy, a unique summer institute of higher learning whose goal is to help guide future leaders of the space program. Introduced at Goddard, the academy is also active at the Ames Research Center and the Dryden Flight Research Center, both in California.
Soffen was planning the 25th anniversary celebration of the Viking landings in the last few months of his life, said A.G. Price, a former NASA Langley employee who worked with Soffen on the Mars mission and has remained in contact over the years.
"But even then his emphasis was not on the past but on doing something to inspire and excite the youth and the next generation of young leaders and scientists to carry on his dream," Price said. "He cared immensely about others and never tired of pursuing his passion, the search for extraterrestrial life and the understanding of our universe."
"Gerry was a good personal friend and a scientist who had a profound dedication to astrobiology and space science in general, said Dr. Ed Weiler, associate administrator for the Office of Space Science. "He has provided distinguished service to the Office of Space Science, to NASA and to the public. Gerry spent a lot of time working with young students and I know he enjoyed that enormously. We will all miss Gerry a great deal."
advertisement
