NASA Science Mission Directorate Response to Questions about Richard Hoover and His Astrobiology Paper
Keith’s 7:00 pm EST update: The following response from Dwayne Brown NASA SMD PAO was received by NASA Watch in quick response to questions asked this afternoon:
“1. How long has he worked at NASA, and at Marshall? Answer: 45 years, he started in February 28, 1966
2. Which division does he work for now? Answer: Hoover works in the Space Science Office at Marshall Space Flight Center
3. What is his title? Answer: NASA Scientist. He does not have a Ph.D.
4. Who funds him? Answer: Richard Hoover’s salary is funded out of the Marshall Space Science Office and the Center Management and Operations budget. While the funding was not based on a proposal, the Marshall folks tell me they need more time to research funding specifics. Current management was not in place at the time. NASA’s Astrobiology Program provided NO support for this work.
5. Did Hoover fill out NASA Standard Form 1676 or get internal review or permission at NASA MSFC to publish this paper? Answer: No. A SF-1676 was not submitted before submission of the paper to the Journal of Cosmology. Submission of a SF-1676 is standard. The SF-1676 on file is for a revised version of the 2007 article that was submitted to the International Journal of Astrobiology. The SF-1676 was approved by Marshall’s science management chain for re-submission of the revised article to the International Journal of Astrobiology. Hoover took the advice from a colleague in the astrobiology field to submit the paper to the Journal of Cosmology. No SF-1676 was submitted to or approved by MSFC management for submission of the revised article to the Journal of Cosmology. NASA policies state that papers on topics of this magnitude should be published in scientific journals that conduct rigorous peer review prior to publication. “
Keith’s 7:00 pm EST update: How is it that NASA MSFC continued to refer to Hoover as “Dr.” Hoover for decades when in fact Hoover does not have a Ph.D.? Curiously, Hoover overtly claims to have a Ph.D. in the article in the Journal of Cosmology.
