Aerial view of Goddard Space Flight Center.

The Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is a major NASA space research laboratory established on May 1, 1959 as NASA's first space flight center. GSFC employs approximately 10,000 civil servants and contractors, and is located approximately 6.5 miles northeast of Washington, D.C. in Greenbelt, Maryland. Image File history File links Aerial view of Goddard Space Flight Center located in a Maryland suburb outside of Washington, DC. File links The following pages link to this file: Goddard Space Flight Center ... Image File history File links Aerial view of Goddard Space Flight Center located in a Maryland suburb outside of Washington, DC. File links The following pages link to this file: Goddard Space Flight Center ... NASA logo Listen to this article · (info) This audio file was created from an article revision dated 2005-09-01, and does not reflect subsequent edits to the article. ... May 1 is the 121st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (122nd in leap years). ... 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Nickname: DC, The District Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Location of Washington, D.C., with regard to the surrounding states of Maryland and Virginia. ... Location in Prince Georges County, Maryland Founded  -Incorporated 1937 {{{incorporated}}}  County Prince Georges County Mayor Judith F. Davis Area  - Total  - Water 15. ...

GSFC has the largest combined organization of scientists and engineers dedicated to increasing knowledge of the Earth, the Solar System, and the Universe via observations from space in the United States. GSFC is a major U.S. laboratory for developing and operating unmanned scientific spacecraft. GSFC conducts scientific investigation, development and operation of space systems, and development of related technologies. Goddard scientists can develop and support a mission, and Goddard engineers and technicians can design and build the spacecraft for that mission. Earth (often referred to as the Earth, Terra or Planet Earth) is the third planet in the solar system in terms of distance from the Sun, and the fifth largest. ... Major features of the Solar System (not to scale): The Sun, the eight planets, the asteroid belt, the dwarf planet Pluto, and a comet. ... The deepest visible-light image of the cosmos, the Hubble Ultra Deep Field. ... United States is the current Good Article Collaboration of the week! Please help to improve this article to the highest of standards. ...

GSFC also operates spaceflight tracking and data acquisition networks, develops and maintains advanced space and Earth science data information systems, and develops satellite systems for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Image File history File links Gsfclogo. ... The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a scientific agency of the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere. ...

GSFC manages operations for many NASA and international missions including the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), the Explorer program, the Discovery Program, the Earth Observing System (EOS), INTEGRAL, the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), the Rossi_X-ray_Timing_Explorer (RXTE) and Swift. Past missions managed by GSFC include the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, SMM, COBE, IUE, and ROSAT. Typically, unmanned earth observation missions and observatories in Earth orbit are managed by GSFC, while unmanned planetary missions are managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a telescope in orbit around the Earth. ... The Explorer program was the United Statess first successful attempt to launch an artificial satellite . ... NASAs Discovery Program is a series of lower-cost, highly focused scientific space missions. ... The Earth Observing System (EOS) is a program of NASA comprising a series of artificial satellite missions and scientific instruments in Earth orbit designed for long-term global observations of the land surface, biosphere, atmosphere, and oceans of the Earth. ... In calculus, the integral of a function is a generalization of area, mass, volume and total. ... The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) is a spacecraft that was launched on 2 December 1995 to study the sun, and began normal operations in May 1996. ... The Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) satellite observes the fast-moving, high-energy worlds of black holes, neutron stars, X-ray pulsars and bursts of X-rays that light up the sky and then disappear forever. ... The Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Mission consists of an unmanned spacecraft called Swift, which was launched into orbit on November 20, 2004, at 17:16:00 UTC (12:16 PM, EST) by a Delta 2 7320-10C expendable launch vehicle. ... Illustration of CGRO The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory(CGRO) was the second of the NASA Great Observatories to be launched to space, following the Hubble Space Telescope. ... The Solar Maximum Mission satellite (or SolarMax) was designed to investigate solar phenomenon, particularly solar flares. ... The Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE), also referred to as Explorer 66, was the first satellite built dedicated to cosmology. ... International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) was an astronomical observatory satellite primarily designed to take ultraviolet spectra. ... ROSAT ROSAT (short for Röntgensatellit) was a German X-ray satellite telescope. ... The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), in La Cañada Flintridge, near Los Angeles, California, USA, builds and operates unmanned spacecraft for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ...

The Goddard Space Flight Center is named in recognition of Dr. Robert H. Goddard, the pioneer of modern rocket propulsion in the United States. Robert Goddard Robert Hutchings Goddard (October 5, 1882 – August 10, 1945) was one of the pioneers of modern rocketry. ...

Facilities

The GSFC Greenbelt facility encompasses the Main Site and adjacent outlying sites. The Main Site is separated and divided in a north-south direction by Soil Conservation Service Road, forming the East and West Campuses. Combined, these two campuses include 50 buildings. Additional GSFC facilities are located in New York City, Virginia, and West Virginia Nickname: Big Apple Location in the state of New York Coordinates: Country United States State New York Boroughs Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Area    - City 1,214. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Official language(s) English Capital Charleston Largest city Charleston Area  Ranked 41st  - Total 24,244 sq mi (62,809 km²)  - Width 130 miles (210 km)  - Length 240 miles (385 km)  - % water 0. ...

West Campus

The West Campus contains buildings that support administration, research, design and construction of spacecraft, operation of spacecraft, information storage and archival, and data analysis. The buildings generally are two to three stories high, often brick, and simply detailed. Amenities include two cafeterias, a base exchange operated by the Goddard Employees Welfare Association (GEWA), a library, a health services unit, a post office, and recreation areas. West Campus facilities include: Base exchange (BX), alternatively, post exchange (PX), refers to a large department store-like shop that is set up on United States military installations. ...

• The Diffraction Grating Evaluation Facility (DGEF) was developed at Goddard to evaluate optical components such as diffraction gratings, mirrors, and filters as well as detection systems used in space instrumentation.

• The Flight Dynamics Facility (FDF) provides engineering services to missions including orbit determination, attitude determination, maneuver planning, spacecraft navigation systems, and attitude sensor performance analysis. Currently, FDF provides orbit and attitude determination for more than 15 NASA spacecraft, and also supports Space Shuttle operations and expendable launch vehicles.

• The High Capacity Centrifuge located in Building 15 is a 30 g rotary accelerator capable of rotating 5,000 pound payloads at up to 30 RPM and is housed in its own circular building. Tilt fixtures allow the orientation of test articles in a wide range of attitudes and angles.

• The NASA Communications Network (NASCOM) is a global system that provides communications support to all NASA projects. Voice, data, and teletype links are available through the network for connecting the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) with user spacecraft control centers. Land lines, submarine cables, and microwave/satellite links make up this communications system.

• The Network Control Center (NCC) manages the total Space Network. The NCC schedules and configures the TDRSS and monitors the status of ongoing scheduled services. Operators schedule emergency services, isolate any problems in the system, and restore faulty user services. The Control Center communicates with other stations through the NASCOM network.

• The Building 3/13/14 Payload Operations Control Centers (POCC) are facilities that provide support to one or more spacecraft missions. Some are operated from GSFC, for example SOHO, and some are operated from offsite, for example Swift. Equipment located in control centers handles all data, generates commands, and interfaces with other stations. The control centers also process experiment commands and telemetry, and control payload and instrument operations. The Hubble Space Telescope Control Center (STOCC) in Building 3 is the facility where Hubble Space Telescope (HST) managers and engineers monitor and control the orbiting observatory. Past missions operated at GSFC include the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, COBE, and IUE.

• The Space Environment Simulator is a three-story high thermal-vacuum chamber (nicknamed "The SES") located in Building 10 that features a 8.2 meter diameter by 12.2 meter high vacuum chamber capable of simulating temperature and vacuum conditions for virtually any launch or orbital environment condition. Shroud temperatures within the chamber can be controlled to -180 °C to +100 °C.

• The National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC) at GSFC provides online and offline access to a wide variety of astrophysics, space plasma and solar physics, lunar and planetary, and Earth science data from NASA space flight missions. NSSDC also provides access to online information for the spacecraft and experiments that have or will provide public access data.

• The Spacecraft Fabrication Facility where Goddard technicians and engineers manufacture components used for spacecraft assembly. This includes the tools which the astronauts use in space as well as the spacecraft themselves.

• The Building 29 Spacecraft Systems Development and Integration Facility is a 7990 m² facility that contains one of the largest cleanrooms in the world. The High Bay Cleanroom is a 1,161m2 (12,500 ft2), class 1,000 M4.5), horizontal flow cleanroom measuring 30.5 x 38 x 27 meters (100'x125'x89'). Its five 250 horsepower fans are capable of moving 25,388 m3/min (900,000 ft2/min). It has been designed to support the integration and testing of flight hardware and has the capacity to accommodate two full-sized shuttle payloads simultaneously and played a major role in preparations for the Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Missions.

• The Building 7/10 Spacecraft Test and Integration Facility contains cleanrooms for spacecraft integration and special chambers for environmental test of spacecraft. Nine thermal-vacuum chambers, four large vibration platforms("shakers"), and an acoustic test chamber capable of 150 decibels are located in this facility. There are also full-scale models of the Hubble Space Telescope.

• Building 11/30 contains the Detector Development Laboratory (DDL), a world class semiconductor processing facility. Some of the worlds most unique microelectronic devices have been fabricated at the Goddard facilities and many have flown on space missions over the past 35 years.

The acceleration due to gravity denoted g (also gee) is a non-SI unit of acceleration defined as exactly 9. ... The pound is the name of a number of units of mass, all in the range of 300 to 600 grams. ... Revolutions per minute (abbreviated rpm, RPM, r/min, or min-1) is a unit of frequency, commonly used to measure rotational speed, in particular in the case of rotation around a fixed axis. ... The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) is a network of communications satellites (each called a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite or TDRS) used by NASA and other United States government agencies. ... The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a telescope in orbit around the Earth. ... Illustration of CGRO The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory(CGRO) was the second of the NASA Great Observatories to be launched to space, following the Hubble Space Telescope. ... The Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE), also referred to as Explorer 66, was the first satellite built dedicated to cosmology. ... International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) was an astronomical observatory satellite primarily designed to take ultraviolet spectra. ... NASAs Glenn Research Center cleanroom. ...

East Campus

The northern area of the East Campus contains several buildings that support maintenance, utilities, or tracking and communication operations. Antennas and other communication equipment that support the operations are located in this area. The southern area of the East Campus contains facilities for NASA's Mission to Planet Earth. The rest of the East Campus is still in a relatively undeveloped state. Amenities include a small convenience store, a recreation center, and hiking trails. East Campus facilities include: It has been suggested that Party store be merged into this article or section. ...

• The Central Chilled Water and Generator Plant in Building 31 provides utilities to the East Campus.
• The Earth Observing System Data Information System (EOSDIS) in Building 32. The EOSDIS in contains the operations centers where the Earth Observing System (EOS) and Landsat program spacecraft and instruments are monitored and controlled. EOS data are processed, archived and distributed from this location.
• The Earth Systems Science Building (ESSB) in Building 33. The ESSB contains offices and facilities for the analysis of earth observation data.

The Earth Observing System (EOS) is a program of NASA comprising a series of artificial satellite missions and scientific instruments in Earth orbit designed for long-term global observations of the land surface, biosphere, atmosphere, and oceans of the Earth. ... The Landsat program is the longest running enterprise for acquisition of imagery of Earth from space. ...

Outlying sites

NASA owns 1121 acres of land at Greenbelt. The remaining 149 acres are the outlying adjacent sites and are leased from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Amenities include softball fields for Goddard intramural teams and an asphalt runway for radio controlled aircraft. The outlying sites include: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, also called the Agriculture Department, or USDA, is a Cabinet department of the United States Federal Government. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... This remote control airplane is carrying a scale model of X-33 and is taking part in actual NASA research. ...

• The Antenna Performance Measuring Range
• The Magnetics Test Facility, located in a magnetic-quiet area, uses large coil magnets operated from a single control building to calibrate and align both instrumentation and spacecraft attitude control systems, and determine of the dipole moment of spacecraft. This facility is the only facility in NASA's inventory that makes it possible to determine and to minimize the magnetic movement of even the largest unmanned spacecraft and observatories.
• The Optical Tracking and Ground Plane Facilities
• The Propulsion Research Site

This article is about the electromagnetic phenomenon. ...

External GSFC facilities

GSFC operates three facilities that are not located at the Greenbelt site. These facilities are:

• The Wallops Flight Facility located in Wallops Island, Virginia was established in 1945, and is one of the oldest launch sites in the world. Wallops manages NASA's sounding rocket program, and supports approximately 35 missions each year.
• The Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) located at Columbia University in New York City, where much of the center's theoretical research is conducted. Operated in close association with Columbia and other area universities, the institute provides support research in geophysics, astrophysics, astronomy and meteorology.
• The Independent Verification and Validation Facility (IV&V) in Fairmont, West Virginia was established in 1993 to improve the safety, reliability, and quality of software used in NASA missions.

Wallops Flight Facility Coordinates: Latitude 37. ... This article needs to be wikified. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... 1945 (MCMVL) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... A sounding rocket, sometimes called an elevator research rocket, is an instrument-carrying suborbital rocket designed to take measurements and perform scientific experiments during its flight. ... Goddard Institute for Space Studies building. ... Columbia University is a private university whose main campus lies in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of the Borough of Manhattan in New York City. ... Nickname: Big Apple Location in the state of New York Coordinates: Country United States State New York Boroughs Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Area    - City 1,214. ... NASAs Independent Verification and Validation Facility (IV&V) was established in 1993 and is located in Fairmont, West Virginia. ... Fairmont is a city in Marion County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 19,097 at the 2000 census. ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ...

Trivia

• The Goddard Space Flight Centre is shown as the place of work of Shahrukh Khan's character, Mohan Bhargava in the critically acclaimed hindi movie, Swades.

This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Swades (Hindi स्वदेश) - We, the people (2004) is an Indian film written, produced and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. ...

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External links

• NASA Headquarters
• Goddard Space Flight Center
• Dateline Goddard newsletter
• Goddard Employees Welfare Association (GEWA)
• Goddard Fact Sheets
• The Goddard Homer E. Newell Memorial Library
• Goddard Visitor Center
• Independent Verification and Validation Facility
• Dreams, Hopes, Realities: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, The First Forty Years by Lane E. Wallace, 1999 (full on-line book)
• Maps and aerial photos Coordinates: 38.9923325° -76.8524720°
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