[3] In that role, he oversaw all scientific investigations conducted by the landers, coordinating the work of more than seventy scientists around the nation.

In 1977, he appeared on an episode of the popular television series In Search Of entitled "Martians" and he spoke about the Viking's findings up to that time.

[4] He moved to become NASA Langley's Chief Environmental Scientist in 1968,[5] leading work on remote sensing by satellite as well as laboratory experiments, ground-based measurements, and theoretical models.

Like Sagan, Soffen spoke cogently, succinctly, and poetically about our search for life beyond earth.

Soffen's focus shifted to education starting in 1990, when he led the formation of GSFC's University Programs office and became its manager.