Research field · Caltech/IPAC, JPL CNEOS, APL, UCLA, Arizona LPL
Astronomy, dark matter and planetary defense
Mapping the galaxy and finding asteroids that could hit Earth. Carl Grillmair (stellar streams, NEO Surveyor) was shot in 2026 and Michael Hicks (DART, NEAT) died of heart disease in 2023. Planetary defense is the only theme the two JPL-area cases share, and it drew online talk of a hidden 'space threat'.
On the record
- NEAT used AFRL's Maui 1.2 m telescope under a NASA/JPL and AFRL partnership.
- LPL memorial for Hicks: DART, NEAT, Dawn and DS1 teams.
- NEO Surveyor launches no earlier than Sep 2027.
- Grillmair suspect pleaded not guilty; police say they did not know each other.
Claims (3)
Planetary-defense scientists are being removed over a hidden space threat.speculationSourced, unconfirmed
No public cause for Hicks means a cover-up.speculationSourced, unconfirmed
'He's going to be remembered for some baloney.'firsthandSourced, unconfirmed
Connected
Dr. Carl J. Grillmair personFrank W. Maiwald personDr. Michael David Hicks personMaj. Gen. William "Neil" McCasland person