Dave Dooling has been education director of the New Mexico Museum of Space History since February 2012. He started his science-writing career in 1970 soon after he worked as a summer-hire security guard for the Apollo 11 launch. As science editor of The Huntsville Times (1977-85), he covered Space Shuttle development and its first missions. He has written for international magazines, co-authored several books, and won writing and history awards from the National Space Club. He moved west in 2002 to serve as education officer at the National Solar Observatory in Sunspot until joining the museum in 2012. he is a NASA Solar System Ambassador and a member of the Math and Science Advisory Council, Public Education Department, State of New Mexico.