CREDIT: LARRY DOWNING/REUTERS
John Mather won a Nobel Prize in physics last year for helping to explain the big bang. Now he's taking on what some would say is an even tougher job. Last week, Mather was named chief scientist in NASA's science office, with the goal of helping his boss, Alan Stern, rescue an imperiled space science program. Mather will split his time between Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland and NASA headquarters.
Q: Why would a Nobel laureate want this job?
I didn't need to add this to my résumé. But we have an entire planet of people complaining that NASA is not doing the right thing. We need to show that we have a good team and a good plan.
Q: What's your biggest challenge?
Understanding earth science. I've got most of my information until now [from] watching the Weather Channel and Al Gore's movie.
Q: Is your inclination to kill projects or spread the pain?
My instinct is to spread the pain, but experience says that is a bad idea. Then everyone hurts and nothing gets done.
