The Instrument Systems and Technology Division (ISTD) is located within the Applied Engineering and Technology Directorate at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The Division provides instrument engineering expertise for the full life cycle of instrument development. With over 180 engineers and technicians, the Division provides the expertise to develop innovative new measurement techniques, advanced instrument concepts, scientific instrument proposals, and instrument systems analysis and implementation to enable advanced state-of-the-art Earth science, space science, and exploration missions.
The ISTD provides leadership and vision in developing and implementing technology programs, collaborating closely with the science community and other customers to identify new and emerging instrument technology requirements. The technologies developed range from subsystems such as detectors, coolers, or optical elements to complete instruments such as hyperspectral imagers or LIDAR systems, aimed at satisfying needs and enabling future science missions, reducing mission cost, enhancing instrument performance, and/or simplifying instrument design and development.
An array of world-class instrument facilities has been developed by the ISTD to support the development of instrument technology developments. Expertise is provided in the areas of optics, cryogenics and fluids, detector systems, lasers and electro-optics, microwave instruments, and instrument management and systems engineering. Radiation detection instrument system technologies are available including design, development, assembly, testing, calibration, and support for measuring all regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The Division provides optical design and analysis, component development, and instrument assembly, alignment, and testing support. Laser and electro-optical capabilities are focused on advanced laser and lidar sensors and components for Earth science and space exploration. The ISTD maintains and advances capabilities in aerospace cryogenic system design and development as well as other associated unique cryogenic and fluid system technologies. In the microwave area the emphasis is placed on the development of unique instrument technology capabilities that support scientific goals for advanced and new measurements in the microwave through submillimeter frequency range. Detector and instrument front-end development encompasses focal plane technology, new materials, electronic readout, and the development and application of semiconductor processing techniques, all supported by a state-of-the-art fabrication facility, in order to provide a seamless interface to our customers.
The ISTD interfaces closely with the Space and Earth Sciences Directorates. It performs its work with other AETD Divisions, GSFC Directorates, NASA Centers, government agencies, international agencies, industry, and academia.
Last Updated ( Monday, 06 June 2005 )
