Organization · Caltech campus, Pasadena, CA
Caltech / IPAC
Caltech's infrared and astrophysics science and data center, founded in 1986 for IRAS. It is separate from JPL but shares missions with it, including NEOWISE and the planetary-defense telescope NEO Surveyor. Carl Grillmair worked here and was shot dead on his porch in Llano on 16 Feb 2026.
On the record
- IPAC obituary for Grillmair.
- Freddy Snyder charged with murder, carjacking and burglary; pleaded not guilty 26 May 2026. Police say the two did not know each other.
- NEO Surveyor: JPL-built, IPAC handles data, launch no earlier than Sep 2027.
Claims (2)
Grillmair and Loureiro killed within months is a pattern.speculationSourced, unconfirmed
Planetary-defense scientists are being removed over a hidden space threat.speculationSourced, unconfirmed