Building what has never been built before,
to discover the unknown.
At Goddard, the ETD supports missions, builds satellites and instruments, operates and controls spacecrafts and acquires and distributes data to the world-wide science community. The ETD’s data products are used to conduct research in Earth and space sciences that benefit the nation and the world.
![Graphic for the cover of NASA's Fiscal Year 2025 budget request, showing an artist's view of the Earth's horizon and atmosphere from space, the Moon, Mars and a field of stars.](https://etd.gsfc.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/mars-earth-illustration.png)
Expanding Engineering Boundaries
Expanding today’s engineering boundaries through the application of emerging technologies to develop high-performance, cost-effective solutions to the most challenging problems.
End-to-end Science Mission Operation
The Engineering & Technology Directorate designs missions, builds satellites, develops instruments, and operates spacecrafts, in addition to acquiring and distributing scientific data globally.
Multidisciplinary Engineering Expertise
Provides multidisciplinary engineering expertise for the development of cutting-edge science and exploration systems and technologies.
Rich Working Environment
Wide ranging projects, multi-disciplinary problem solving, extensive laboratories and facilities and a college campus-like environment provide our employees with a rich work life.
Supporting the Goddard Mission
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Greenbelt campus is home to the nation’s largest organization of scientists, engineers and technologists who conceive, design and build new technology to study the solar system and universe.
![](https://etd.gsfc.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ETD-NASA-Lifecycle-1-1024x725.png)
- The center employs 8,200 people and spans 1,270 acres.
- Goddard consists of six distinctive campuses and facilities across six states.
- The largest organization at Goddard is the Engineering and Technology Directorate. It is home to approximately 1,300 civil servants and 2,000 contractors who provide multidisciplinary engineering expertise to critical NASA missions.
- The ETD’s areas of expertise include advanced technology, hands-on experience for successfully executing space science missions, and a world-class systems engineering approach.
- At Goddard, it all begins and ends with science. We derive and share information, solutions, and technology for the benefit of all NASA, the Nation, and the World.
Our Work
The Engineering and Technology Directorate (ETD) is the engine that powers Goddard. ETD provides multi-disciplinary engineering expertise for the development of cutting-edge science and exploration systems and technologies in the following areas: Earth Science, Astrophysics, Solar System, Heliophysics and Exploration. In addition, ETD acquires and distributes science data worldwide.
ETD Featured Stories
Explore featured stories, engineering news and information from leadership teams, the ETD’s work, education programs and outreach.
Goddard is recognized as one of the top
employers in the Federal Government.
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Greenbelt campus is home to the nation’s largest organization of scientists, engineers, and technologists who build new technology to study the Earth, our solar system, and the universe.