NASA is hiring real MIBs: Planetary Protection Officer wanted

Watching all those science fiction movies is paying off. NASA just announced it is hiring a Planetary Protection Officer. Agent K, your black suit is waiting.

NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is ready to hire a very special, qualified individual to help the planet. You don’t need an aeronautics degree, engineering background, or the brains of Sheldon Cooper. But, you do need to stop aliens, UFOs or other non-earthly biologicals from coming to Earth. Could you be the next Planetary Protection Officer?

Just when you thought watching science fiction movies and reading comic books was just a diversion, that entertainment could prove to be important research. From how to distinguish one alien race from another to avoiding dangerous containments, that fictional world could finally be coming true.

This job sounds a little like a science fiction movie. Isn’t the plot of Men In Black about keeping space aliens from interfering with humans? Could a science fiction movie become real? Those hover boards never arrived, but the Cubs did win the World Series.

Unlike the movie, this job is real. Even better, the salary is six figures. Applicants do need security clearance, which eliminates a lot of people. Still, who wouldn’t want the job title of Planetary Protection Officer? That’s definitely a cool LinkedIn title.

All joking aside, NASA does have an Office of Planetary Protection. According to the, “the mission of the Office of Planetary Protection is to promote the responsible exploration of the solar system by implementing and developing efforts that protect the science, explored environments, and Earth.” While the job search has gotten press because of the description, the purpose of the office and the job is important.

As more private companies launch rockets on monthly or more basis, technology’s impact on space, the environment, and humanity is impacted. While private companies have not succeeded in space travel, they will soon. Each rocket launch gets them one step closer to a regular person buying a ticket on a space ship.

Next: Movie road trip across the states

Hopefully, the announcement of this particular job did everyone, including NASA, a service. Yes, the idea of Planetary Protection Officer might sound far-fetched, but the job isn’t total make-believe. Space exploration and space technology is expanding at an extraordinary rate. Will we all be ready for what’s awaiting us in the heavens above?