Keith’s note: Recently everyone in the space bubble was jumping up and down about the 100th anniversary of Robert Goddard’s liquid rocket launch. They even held the infamous “Space Prom”. That was last week. For years NASA Goddard employees maintained a display in Building 28 dedicated to Robert Goddard. GSFC management has recently decided to remove this display to make room for a snack bar seemingly without regard for its historical significance. Oh well.

Keith’s 13 Feb note: I am posting some photos of the NASA Goddard library taken yesterday. The photos were NOT taken by library employees – but rather by others at GSFC. Word has it that trucks are arriving this weekend to begin removal of these boxes. Many GSFC employees are still concerned that the imminent removal and possible disposal of materials are in direct contradiction to the instructions in a Congressional Joint Exploratory Statement which directs NASA to preserve technical and scientific capabilities. Jared Isaacman has said that he has staff he’s assigned to monitor this process. Perhaps NASA GSFC or NASA HQ management could post an update as to where these boxed library materials are being sent. I’d ask NASA PAO – but they ignore me these days. Keith’s 14 Feb Update: according to a source at NASA GRC “We are currently renovating our library space and briefing center (Building 142) and we’ve been told recently that NASA GRC will be ‘The NASA Library’ for the Agency and that the GSFC library books are being relocated to GRC.‘. See: Recent NASA NASA GSFC Library postings [More photos below].

Keith’s note: NASA has just authored a paper on a new way for people with a wide variety of interests to use – and build – sensor technology that is a preview of the devices we will use to explore other planets. How will we develop these instruments – sensors, tricorders, scanners, smartphones – call them what you will is now underway at NASA. There is a vibrant citizen science / open science / DIY / “hacker” community in America and around the world that seeks to make interesting things out of ordinary materials. Cellphones outperform what we would have called a “super computer” just a generation ago – and they are in everyone’s pocket. Electronic parts can be bought online and how-to instructions are openly available online – globally. Full story

Keith’s note: This email was sent to employees at the Engineering Technology Directorate at NASA GSFC. It would appear that these GSFC employees are now going to be working on “national security technologies” – despite the fact that NASA is a civilian space agency. Full email below.

Keith’s 17 June update: A correction the 12 June note was sent out to GSFC employees on 17 June. It is included below. Keith’s 12 June note: This email was sent to NASA Goddard employees on 12 June 2025 – note that there will be a Town Hall on 16 June. — “Dear Colleagues: I’m happy to share that Gavin Schmidt, director of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies, has been awarded the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation’s 2025 Planetary Health Award in recognition of his work on climate change and its impacts. The foundation’s board of directors recommended Gavin for this high honor, and Prince Albert II himself made the final selection. GISS has been a leader in understanding planetary atmospheres and systems – especially those of our home planet – and its work remains critical. Please join me in congratulating Gavin on this high honor and for his ongoing leadership in the field of climate change.” (more below)