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NASA Intern's $21 Million Moon Rock Heist Exposed

8/12/2025

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Summary

Story summary

In a stunning heist in 2002, NASA intern Thad Roberts masterminded the theft of 17 pounds of moon rocks, worth a staggering $21 million, from the Johnson Space Center. Alongside two accomplices, he was caught trying to sell the precious samples. Roberts was sentenced to eight years in prison, while his partners received lighter sentences, leaving the stolen rocks nearly worthless for scientific study.

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Story summary

In a stunning heist in 2002, NASA intern Thad Roberts masterminded the theft of 17 pounds of moon rocks, worth a staggering $21 million, from the Johnson Space Center. Alongside two accomplices, he was caught trying to sell the precious samples. Roberts was sentenced to eight years in prison, while his partners received lighter sentences, leaving the stolen rocks nearly worthless for scientific study.