Thad Roberts' story is one of both ambition and audacious missteps. During his time as an intern at NASA, Roberts ventured into a highly unconventional crime that led not only to his downfall but also to a bizarre footnote in space exploration history. His decision to steal moon rocks from a secure facility at NASA was driven by a misguided desire to impress his then-girlfriend and achieve something extraordinarily memorable.
In pursuit of this aim, Roberts, along with two accomplices, both of whom were fellow interns, executed a plan to steal a safe containing lunar samples. These samples were not ordinary rocks; they were precious geological specimens brought back from the Apollo moon missions, specifically Apollo 11, the first manned mission to the moon. The rocks had immense scientific value and were considered national treasures.
Once in possession of the moon rocks, Roberts took the audacity of his act a step further by removing the rocks from their sealed containers, thereby contaminating them and compromising their scientific value. In a romantic, albeit misguided gesture, he and his girlfriend laid the rocks beneath their bed sheets, effectively having sex on a bed of moon rocks. This wild scenario underscored not just the theft but also a profound disrespect for the scientific significance and historical value of the lunar samples.
The fallout from Roberts' actions was swift and severe. Once the theft was discovered, investigations led straight back to him and his accomplices, culminating in federal charges. Roberts was sentenced to 8 years in prison, serving 6 years before his release. The repercussions extended beyond his incarceration; the incident was a career-ending move that also tarnished his reputation irreparably.
Reflecting on his actions post-incarceration, Thad Roberts has expressed regret and acknowledgment of his misguided motives. He has since made attempts to redefine his life, engaging in scientific discussions and theories, aiming to contribute positively to the community he once deceived. His story remains a compelling tale of loss, redemption, and the enduring human fascination with space—a fascination that, in this case, led to remarkably poor decision-making.
