Simon P. Worden

Dr. Simon P. “Pete” Worden (1949 – ) served as the tenth Ames Center Director, from May 4, 2006 to March 31, 2015.

Prior to becoming Ames director, Worden was a research professor of Astronomy, Optical Sciences and Planetary Sciences at the University of Arizona where his primary research direction was the development of large space optics for national security and scientific purposes and near-earth asteroids. Additionally, he worked on topics related to space exploration and solar-type activity in nearby stars.

Worden is a recognized expert on space issues both civil and military. He has authored or co-authored more than 150 scientific technical papers in astrophysics, space sciences, and strategic studies. Moreover, he served as a scientific co-investigator for three NASA space science missions, most recently the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph launched in 2013 to study the Sun.

A retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general, Worden held director and deputy director level positions with the Air Force Space Command, where he was responsible for developing new programs, including next generation launch concepts. He also was commander of the 50th Space Wing, U.S. Air Force Space Command. He also served as 2nd deputy for technology with the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization, where he received the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal for directing the 1994 Clementine lunar probe mission. Worden was named the 2009 Federal Laboratory Consortium Laboratory Director of the Year and is the recipient of the 2010 Arthur C. Clarke Innovator’s Award.

More recently, he has served as Chairman of the Breakthrough Prize Foundation and Executive Director of the foundation’s ‘Breakthrough Initiatives.’

Worden holds a bachelor’s degree in astronomy from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a doctorate in astronomy from the University of Arizona.