The Galileo Ambassador program was born in 1997 with Tom as one of the first 16 volunteers. The program quickly gained support from other JPL missions, and in 1999 the Solar System Ambassador program was officially formed with 145 volunteers.

At the time, Dr. Jeffrey D. Rosendhal, former Deputy Associate Administrator for Education and Public Outreach at NASA’s Office of Space Science (which later became NASA’s Science Mission Directorate) said “The Solar System Ambassadors are a grassroots effort. We will plant the seeds and watch them spread.

Today, the Solar System Ambassador program has more than 1,100 dedicated volunteers who reach more than 11 million viewers through live and online events in their communities.

The program’s far-reaching grassroots approach to sharing NASA’s dedicated efforts in space and science with the public has had a profound impact on individuals and communities, especially those not traditionally served by the Nasa.

From a local library in small town Iowa to a military base in Guam, volunteers share professionally designed presentations based on the latest updates from scientists and engineers working at the forefront of exploration of the solar system by NASA.

“Solar System Ambassadors make NASA an integral part of their communities,” said program coordinator Kay Ferrari. “Ambassadors change lives, including their own.

Learn more about the Solar System Ambassador Program: Solar System Ambassadors