Keith’s Update from additional sources: During an extensive independent review of GISS (and NSSTC) ending in December 2024 it was concluded that it would cost NASA (and GSA) much more to try to terminate the current GISS lease – and that while also doing there would be massive damage to ongoing research going on. This move won’t safe DOGE or anyone else anything. Quite the contrary. Keith’s earlier note: This was just sent to all NASA Goddard and GISS employees by Makenzie Lystrup: “Dear Colleagues: As you likely know, the administration is currently examining all government leases. As a result, NASA’s lease of Columbia University’s Armstrong Hall in New York City, home to the Goddard Institute for Space Studies, will end effective May 31, 2025.”

Keith’s note: Multiple sources report that some DOGE reps were at NASA Goddard today. They got tours including Roman Space Telescope. UPDATE: sources at GSFC tell me that the individuals at Goddard today were not DOGE, per se. One was from NSpC (National Space Council), one was an advisor to Jared Isaacman, and the last was from Janet Petro’s staff. They toured Roman Space Telescope with Makenzie Lystrup and Mark Clampin. BUT there was internal email circulating at GSFC today stating that DOGE was there for a site visit and included instructions to staff to cooperate – as “mandated by Executive Order.”

Keith’s update: I just had a chat with GSFC management. In a nutshell this pandemic and telework has gone on longer than anyone expected and it will go on for quite some time – well into 2021. As such, people and policies need to constantly adapt to an uncertain and ever changing future. You can expect some clarification from GSFC management soon including a request from the GSFC workforce for […]

Keith’s 5:12 pm update: This is the response that NASA GSFC News Chief Dewayne Washington sent me: “We truly appreciate the innovative spirit displayed and sought to highlight the employee and her accomplishments. Upon further review, however, we don’t have the ability to distribute lab equipment to all those who may request it or to validate the safety of uniquely-configured home lab workspaces. Moving forward, lab/technical equipment will remain on […]

Keith’s note: If you go to the NASA GSFC website you will see this release “Laser Precision: NASA Flights, Satellite Align Over Sea Ice“. In the release you will see this at the bottom: “For more information, visit: nasa.gov/icesat-2 or icesat-2.gsfc.nasa.gov”. There’s no HMTL for the links on this webpage thus making it more difficult for people to follow the non-existent links. If you go to nasa.gov/icesat-2 you get the […]

NASA Administrator Names Acting Director for Goddard Space Flight Center “NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has named George Morrow to serve as acting director of the agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, effective Thursday, Aug. 1. Morrow will replace Chris Scolese, who is departing NASA to be the director of the National Reconnaissance Office.”

NASA OIG Audit: NASA’s Technology Transfer Process “Goddard, however, is experiencing poor technology transfer performance outcomes when compared to the other three NASA Centers we reviewed, to include a lower percentage of licenses as well as delays in processing of NTRs and patent applications. We found Goddard’s technology transfer process was hindered by a lack of adequate controls and poor collaboration between its Technology Transfer Office and the Office of […]

Potential Reduction At Wallops Flight Facility, WBOC “Goddard Space Flight Center said they are evaluating opportunities to streamline and improve the relationship between the center’s in Greenbelt, Maryland and Wallops Island. Goddard told WBOC today in a statement, “The importance of a synergistic relationship between the two campuses is vital to the future of each campus and Goddard Space Flight Center as a whole.” Bale is disappointed that Goddard is […]

Keith’s note: On Wednesday NASA will officially sponsor a teleconference with NASA NIAC grantee Phil Lubin about the Breakthrough Initative’s Starshot project to mount the first interstellar mission. But unless you are a pal of a certain NASA civil servant, you won’t be allowed to listen in live – even though NASA is paying for this event. Indeed, unless this certain employee decides to tell you, NASA won’t even tell […]

Loss of Contact with STEREO Behind “Communications with the STEREO Behind spacecraft were interrupted on October 1, 2014 immediately after a planned reset of the spacecraft performed as part of a test of solar conjunction operations. There have been no successful communications since then, though attempts to recover the spacecraft continue. Here we explain the events that led up to the loss in communications, and the activities that have been […]