In August the curation troops were stunned by Jim Gooding's sudden announcement that he was leaving. After serving as the seventh Lunar Sample Curator, since January 1992, and as Chief of the Planetary Missions and Materials Branch, since June 1994, Jim Gooding resigned from NASA service on August 15, 1997 to pursue a new career as Research Manager, Capital and Trade Resources, for the Enron Corporation.
After moving from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to JSC in 1981, Jim served in a succession of roles as a planetary materials curator while separately pursuing original research on the thermodynamic properties of meteoritic minerals and the mineralogy of water-based precipitates in Martian meteorites. Jim says he feels privileged to have held significant responsibilities in the interplanetary dust and meteorite programs as well as the lunar program. As Lunar Sample Curator, Jim encouraged technical innovation. One of his central themes was modernization of curatorial facilities to include expanded use of computers to archive and distribute electronic data records. All facets of JSC sample curation have been enriched by Jim's expertise-cosmic dust, meteorites, lunar samples.
As Chief of the Planetary Missions and Materials Branch, he emphasized preparation for future sample-return missions, including several candidates under the Discovery program as well as the larger scope of Mars sample return. Gooding's highly-respected knowledge of meteorites and Martian alteration products made him an effective spokesperson for sample science in planning Mars sample return missions, especially future sample curation.
Right: Young Jim Gooding (Eileen Stansbery, right) and coffee house waitress (Jackie Allen, left).
|
|
The Peter, Paul, and Mary soundalikes: from left to right, Linda Watts, Bill Williams, Cecilia Satterwhite, Andrea Mosie, and Kim Willis. |
Jim was glowing with enthusiasm for the challenge, and the curation folk did indeed celebrate his new good fortune and commemorate his accomplishments with a formal going away party followed the next day by a much less formal occasion for the curation "family."
Jim slices cake at his formal going away party at JSC. |
Jim's departure leaves a very big vacancy in the leadership of sample curation and Mars sample return curation planning, resulting in anticipated reorganization of the curation and sample return function. To say 'he will be missed' is a classic understatement. Jim departs with sample curation in good order, leaving a legacy of honesty, keeping promises, serving customers and highest regard for the integrity of the sample collections.
Jim Gooding's Legacy to Planetary Sample Curation
Planning for Mars Sample Return
|
For those of us in curation, Jim has been a leader, advisor and friend. We are grateful for his contributions. He can be reached by e-mail at jlgeoworks@aol.com.