Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Acting Director George Morrow and Associate Director Ray Rubilotta presented an update to the Greenbelt City Council on August 4 of their developing missions and site/ infrastructure plans. Mayor Emmett Jordan said that GSFC has been a good friend to the city and that it is very important to work hand-in-hand. Morrow, acting as director after the departure of Christopher Scolese, was appointed the 19th director of the National Reconnaissance Office on August 1. Formally the deputy director, Morrow is not seeking a permanent position and has decided to retire by December 31, citing that it was a hard decision to make. A replacement is being sought, which will likely occur before that date.
Morrow began the meeting with a rundown of GSFC’s major projects. The mirrors of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) were integrated and tested at GSFC. Northrop Grumman finished the mission spacecraft in late August. The launch date has been set for March 2021. The goal is to look back to times earlier than 500 million years after the start of the universe to find the first galaxies and hopefully rewrite science as did the Hubble Space Telescope (HST).
The Artemis Project, which aims to place the first American man and woman on the south pole of the Moon, was announced in March 2019. Morrow was very excited about the role GSFC will play in this, which includes communications technology and scientific studies. The end result will be a small lunar space station and lunar lander, leading to a sustained presence on the Moon.
The Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite is in full-scale development, with GSFC having a full in-house responsibility for the spacecraft and main instrument. The satellite’s goal is to make an in-depth study of the world’s oceans, especially their role in climate change. GSFC has built many existing weather satellites, in partnership with NOAA.
The Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) was designed and built at GSFC as well as integrated with the spacecraft. Its launch is planned for 2025 to supersede the HST.
Morrow emphasized the major role GSFC has played in satellite servicing, including five missions to the HST. He said that the future will see more robotic servicing.
GSFC managed to survive the most recent government shutdown and keep the majority of their projects going. Their $5 billion budget has remained pretty healthy, yet they look to increase funds for projects like Artemis.
Morrow detailed GSFC’s involvement in community outreach and education. GSFC has 445 high school and college interns on-site, many from local schools. Six Eleanor Roosevelt High School students spent last year in an academic research program. Greenbelt Middle School was one of five sites for a STEM camp focused on space engineering. A program designed for underserved communities gave 30 middle school students access to a GSFC-designed STEM program aimed at closing the opportunity gap. Councilmember Leta Mach reminded everyone of the STEM/ aerospace program offered at Duval High School, not just ERHS.
Rubilotta gave an update to the Facilities Master Plan, which is a 20-year look-ahead at the anticipated needs and requirements of GSFC, according to the plan. A workshop phase has started, focused on each of the six campuses, hoping to create a holistic viewpoint, said Rubilotta.
Under study is a proposed work-week closure of the main gate on Greenbelt Road from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pedestrian access to the nearby businesses is vital, especially during lunchtime, and will be maintained. A card system will assure security. The Instrument Development Facility is expected to be finished by next year. Traffic and auto safety was emphasized by all, specifically in the North Campus, which would require a contributing agency relationship with the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, which controls much of the area, or the National Park Service for interchange modifications on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. Rubilotta characterized the Master Plan as a thought process and encouraged council and other stakeholders to present their ideas. “There is not an unlimited supply of money,” said Morrow, “so GSFC must be strategic in its promotional and institutional activities in order to meet the demand of all their programs.”
Morrow asserted that he looks for GSFC to be a “destination of choice” to visitors and to be instrumental in the creation of future scientists.