Volunteer Spotlight: Jim Torley

Written by: Space Foundation Editorial Team

These Volunteer Spotlight articles profile some of the interesting and dedicated people who make Space Foundation programs possible. We could not do the work we do without the generous and tireless support of volunteers.

This week, we are featuring Space Foundation Discovery Center volunteer Jim Torley. Jim started volunteering with us in 2017 and has volunteered for an out-of-this-world 1,327 hours!

His favorite exhibit is the Mars Viking Lander because he enjoys telling visitors how he was on his way to work in July 1976 when the first images were to be received from Viking 1.

“I REALLY, REALLY wanted to see those images even though I had to go to work so I had brought a battery operated TV set with me in my car, and when the announcement was made on the radio that the images were coming, I pulled over to the side of the road, turned on the TV and watched the first images as they were displayed. My boss accepted that reason for my late arrival at work!”

Jim’s favorite part of volunteering has been speaking with visitors and learning about their interests in space so he can help foster further discussions and interests in the field. Jim is a scientist and engineer whose career includes decades supporting and coordinating with Air Force Space Command and the Air Force Research Laboratory Satellite Assessment Center (SatAC) and lecturing at the University of Colorado.

Thank you for your time and dedication to the Space Foundation, Jim!

If you are interested in becoming a Space Foundation/Space Foundation Discovery Center volunteer, please reach out to Jennifer Walters, Volunteer Program Manager, at [email protected]

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