posted 06-10-2023 11:24 AM               

A post to his own Twitter account announced his death:

With deep sadness, this post announces the passing of Dr. Firouz Naderi on Friday, June 9. In his last hours, Firouz was surrounded by love and admiration, as he was throughout his life.

Information about memorial services celebrating his remarkable life will be shared as appropriate.

From a 2011 JPL release, when Naderi was named Director for Solar System Exploration:

In his new role, Naderi will oversee JPL's robotic solar system missions, including new projects under development and such currently operating projects as the Cassini orbiter at Saturn and the Dawn spacecraft at the giant asteroid Vesta, as well as two missions about to be launched: Juno to Jupiter and GRAIL to Earth's moon. In addition, he will be responsible for JPL's work supporting NASA's human spaceflight program, which is being merged into the laboratory's Solar System Exploration Directorate.

In naming him to this new position, Elachi said, "Firouz brings a unique wealth of experience in project, program and institutional management, as well as NASA Headquarters experience. In the past, whenever I have had an organizational challenge or opportunity, Firouz is one of the first people I have turned to. Fifteen years ago, I asked him to shape the Origins program, which technologically put us in a leadership position that still pays dividends. In 2000, in a critical time in the life of the Mars Program, NASA selected him as the program manager, and he helped turn that program into a spectacular success for JPL and NASA.

"Then six years ago I went to him again, this time asking him to define the new position of Associate Director for Formulation, and he has put in place a framework that will help JPL for years to come," Elachi added. "Our current challenge is to make planetary missions more innovative, less expensive and yet do great science. I need Firouz to lead a great group of people to make sure JPL retains its global leadership in solar system exploration."

Naderi is a recipient of a number of awards, including NASA's Outstanding Leadership Medal and the space agency's highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal, which cites his "distinguished contribution to space science and exploration." He is also the recipient of a Space Technology Hall of Fame Medal, and Ellis Island Medal of Honor for "outstanding contributions that have enriched American society and exemplify its cultural diversity." Most recently he was recognized by the American Astronautical Society with its William Randolph Lovelace II Award. Naderi is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Naderi, who was born in Shiraz, Iran, and moved to the United States 45 years ago, holds three degrees in electrical engineering: a bachelor's from Iowa State University in Ames, and a master's and doctorate from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He lives in Pacific Palisades, Calif.