Former Nasa nanotechnologist jailed for hiding his China ties
By 
Rebecca Trager2021-06-24T14:00:00
US judge sentences senior Nasa scientist to 30 days imprisonment for lying about his participation in a Chinese talent programme
A former senior nanotechnologist at Nasa who admitted to secretly participating in the Chinese government’s ‘Thousand Talents’ recruitment programme earlier this year.
Meyya Meyyappan, who pleaded guilty back in January to one count of making false statements to Nasa, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), had worked for Nasa from 1996 until early 2021 and was the chief scientist for exploration technology at Ames Research Center’s nanotechnology centre in California. On 16 June, a US District Judge imposed a prison sentence, and also ordered the 66-year-old to pay a $100,000 (£72,000) fine.