ETD Capabilities and Facilities

Engineering expertise across all aspects of NASA missions, from design, development to operating and bringing data back to Earth

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Engineering Expertise Driving Mission Success

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Engineering Excellence supports many NASA and partners’ missions; and supports industry, academia, and commercial partners. Our facilities and engineering expertise allow us to support complex research missions from building large observatories, satellites, sounding rockets, scientific balloons, and instruments, to operating and controlling spacecraft and acquiring and distributing data to the worldwide science community.

Capability Highlights

In addition to serving the requirements of NASA programs, ETD capabilities have applications across a broad spectrum of activities, both aerospace and non-aerospace related and are available to support a variety of external customers.

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Vacuum Outgassing Database

Vacuum outgassing testing at Goddard Space Flight Center is conducted within Materials Engineering, to evaluate the outgassing emissions of potential flight materials in vacuum. The lab has established a comprehensive database of vacuum outgassing test data collected for over five decades, as a reference for NASA and the broader spaceflight…

Radiation Effects and Analysis

The Radiation Effects and Analysis Group (REAG) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center has provided leadership in radiation effects to NASA, commercial partners, industry leaders, other government agencies, and academia for decades. The team supports in- and out-of-house developments with environmental modelling, radiation assessments and...

Spaceflight Photonics: Fiber Optics and Optoelectronics

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Photonics Group is a center of excellence for both fiber optics and optoelectronics since its formation over 30 years ago. They offer a one stop shop for fiber optic system design, production, qualification and integration for space flight and other harsh environments. In addition...

Finite Element Modeling Continuous Improvement (FEMCI)

Finite Element Modeling Continuous Improvement (FEMCI) is an online archive of mostly NASTRAN (NASA STRuctural ANalysis) based finite element analysis information. Some information can be applied to other finite element analysis programs, such as the...

Telemetry and Command (T&C) Systems

The Engineering and Technology Directorate (ETD) at Goddard Space Flight Center developed two flagship Telemetry and Command (T&C) systems. ETD engineers designed these systems to meet the evolving needs of NASA's diverse mission portfolio, leveraging decades of flight operations experience. Through...

Sub-Kelvin Detector Fabrication and Characterization Capability

Using temperatures below 1 K in detector systems opens access of NASA mission concepts to exquisite performance metrics and instrument designs. A vanishingly narrow superconducting wire can enable photon counting of emanations from faint astrophysical sources. Dense metals can...

Facility and Lab Highlights

To build what has never been built before and discover the unknown, our engineering team supports a diverse range of activities working together across disciplines to ensure missions are successful technically, and we deliver on our commitments. Our facilities include some unique technical spaces that allow new science and technology development.

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Servicing Technology Center (STC)

The Servicing Technology Center (STC) has proven itself to be a staple of In-space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) flight hardware development. The STC has supported and continues to support International Space Station (ISS) operations, and was integral in developing, integrating, and testing elements of NASA’s Robotic...

Robotic Operations Center (ROC)

The Robotic Operations Center (ROC) is a one-of-a-kind facility that develops and demonstrates technologies needed to further In-space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing missions. Spread out across three work areas, the facility houses a range of motion platforms including two 7-Degrees of Freedom (DOF) industrial robots, one 7-DOF...

Robotic Technology Center (RTC)

The Robotic Technology Center (RTC) is a state-of-the-art facility that develops technologies needed to further In-space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) missions and supports Goddard’s ISAM research and development. Spread out over four work areas, the Robotic Technology Center (RTC) houses a range of motion platforms including four...

Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility

The Spacecraft Magnetic Test Facility is one of three unique facilities in the world and is the only operational facility in the Western Hemisphere. This facility is located at Area 300 which is located off GSFC main campus, where it provides magnetically quiet and stable facilities. These facilities consist of three separate...

Space Laser Assembly Cleanroom (SLAC)

The Space Laser Assembly Cleanroom (SLAC) offers a world class cleanroom facility for developing, building, and environmentally testing lasers and electro-optics for space flight and other science applications. The just over 1500 sq ft clean room features unique electo-optical performance test equipment, flight compliant...

Radiation Effects Facility

The Radiation Effects Facility (REF) maintains and operates radiation sources and particle accelerators to support flight project radiation assurance, diverse scientific users, and technology development and maturation programs within Goddard, across NASA, and in partnership with external stakeholders. Two gamma-ray sources allow high- and low-dose…

ETD FEATURED CAPABILITY

Unlocking the Power of Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Capabilities

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), also referred to as Microsystems in Europe, are miniature transducers in the micron or sub-micron scale. These systems are constructed on substrates such as silicon or glass using microfabrication techniques. MEMS technology is integral to numerous applications in everyday life, including wearable sensors in smartwatches, implantable drug delivery systems, automotive sensors for pressure and motion detection, and various space technologies, such as sensors, actuators, detectors, and...

Advanced Manufacturing Solutions: Enhancing Flight and Research Capabilities

ETD provides a comprehensive set of machining, composites, precision  assembly, electroplating, additive manufacturing, logistics, and  inspection services for aerospace applications. From machining and composites to electroplating and additive manufacturing, ETD equips its customers with the tools necessary to push the boundaries of flight and exploration. At the forefront of this effort is the Advanced Composite Materials Lab (ACML), a hub of collaboration where engineers and scientists come together to drive...

ETD Partnerships

The ETD works with Academia, Industry and Engineering Partners in establishing reciprocal access to facilities and personnel expertise to cultivate a dynamic environment for collaborative Space Engineering and technology development.

NASA Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP)

Goddard is committed to excellence in scientific investigation, in the development and operation of space systems, and in the advancement of essential technologies. Goddard is also the contracting office for NASA Headquarters (HQ) in Washington, DC.

Strategic Partnerships Office

The Strategic Partnerships Office (SPO) assists in bringing Goddard’s cutting-edge technology to the private sector. Their team of technology managers collaborates with a diverse group of professionals to forge relationships and agreements.

Contact ETD Capability & Facility Teams

For inquiries or more information about available ETD capabilities and facilities, please use the form below to contact the ETD for assistance with your testing and research needs.