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Goddard Engineering and Technology Directorate

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Composite and Metallic Structure

Box Structure – Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE)
Box Structure – Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE)

Tailored Structural Engineering Solutions For Space and Scientific Missions

Spacecraft and instrument structures vary greatly in shape, size, and material, with each project having distinct requirements. The Mechanical Engineering team specializes in designing, building, integrating, testing, and delivering both composite and metallic structural solutions. These solutions range from large spacecraft structures and Earth and space science instrument platforms to systems operating at cryogenic temperatures and space station-attached payloads.

The team supports missions such as the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (RST) and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which explore the farthest reaches of the universe, as well as Earth science missions like the Global Precipitation Measurement Mission (GPM), ICESat-2, PACE, Landsat, and others. With extensive knowledge and experience, the team provides the ideal structural solutions for each mission.

Fully Stacked Observatory – Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS)
Fully Stacked Observatory – Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS)

The Composite and Metallic Structure capability is managed by ETD’s Mechanical Systems Division (MSD). Contact MSD for more information.


ABOUT ETD

The Engineering and Technology Directorate at NASA Goddard designs, builds, and develops space flight technology for American leadership in space. The technical workforce brings this expertise to NASA’s portfolio and supports mission partnerships across the whole of government and industry.

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Page Last Updated: Jul 10, 2025

Page Editor: ETD Web Team

Responsible NASA Official: Hector Dietsch

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