Archive · 12 Aug 2025
NASA Intern Steals Moon Rocks to Impress Girlfriend
Once upon a time, a NASA intern named Thad Roberts wanted to do something big to impress his girlfriend.
He decided to steal moon rocks from the lab!
With some friends, he snuck into a secure building.
Roberts claimed it was all for love, but the FBI later found out he was hoping to sell the rocks for money.
He put the rocks under his bed, like a symbol of something special.
Roberts went to prison for a while, but the whole crazy story is like a movie.
Thad Roberts, a former NASA intern, stole lunar samples valued at $21 million in 2002.
Roberts and accomplices, including his girlfriend, bypassed security to access Building 31.
The motive, as per Roberts, was to impress his girlfriend.
Roberts stored some moon rocks under his bed, describing it as 'sex on the moon'.
The FBI uncovered a financial motive involving a potential buyer from Belgium.
- Who
- Thad Roberts, along with accomplices Tiffany Fowler and Shae Saur.
- What
- A former NASA intern stole moon rocks.
- When
- The theft occurred in 2002.
- Where
- The theft took place at a NASA facility, Building 31.
- Why
- Initially to impress his girlfriend, later revealed to involve financial motives.
Roberts' Motivation
Financial Gain
Motivation for the Theft
Roberts' Motivation
Roberts claimed he stole the rocks to impress his girlfriend.
Financial Gain
The FBI revealed Roberts was in contact with a potential buyer, suggesting financial gain.
- Stolen Item
- Moon Rocks
- Value of Rocks
- $21 million
- Main Perpetrator
- Thad Roberts
- Sentence (Roberts)
- Eight years in prison
- Motive
- Impressing girlfriend and financial gain
- Accomplices
- Tiffany Fowler, Shae Saur
