Blaine Baggett has joined NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., as executive manager of the newly created Office of Communications and Education, where he will be responsible for the Laboratory's overall strategic communications plan for public affairs, education and outreach activities.
An award-winning television producer and published author, Baggett joins JPL from Los Angeles public television station KCET, where he was vice president of national productions and scheduling. Baggett's science and technology documentaries for the Public Broadcasting System include "Spaceflight," "The Astronomers," "John Glenn, American Hero" and several "Nova" programs. His production of "The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century," for which he also co-authored a companion book, achieved the rare distinction of winning television's coveted triple crown: the Alfred P. DuPont journalism award, the Peabody Award and two national Emmys.
Baggett was one of NASA's national finalists for its Journalist in Space program, which was put on indefinite hold following the Space Shuttle Challenger accident in 1986.
A native of Mississippi, Baggett is a graduate of Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss. He was also a Peace Corps volunteer in Liberia, West Africa. He lives with his wife and son in Glendale, Calif.
JPL is a division of the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif.
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