![Welcome to the Flight Projects Directorate](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/fpd-bg.jpg?w=1536)
Flight Projects Directorate
Enabling exploration in EARTH and SPACE science by transforming concepts and questions into reality
FPD is responsible for overall management and implementation of the flight projects at Goddard Space Flight Center. This includes the in-house instrument projects, and the infrastructure that supports these projects including contracts management, technical and business management, mission design, fabrication, integration, environmental test, design and readiness review management, launch operations, and orbital operations.
More About FPD![Technicians work with the secondary mirror of the James Webb Space Telescope in a clean room at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/705719main-image3-operation-small-full.jpg?w=1024)
Portfolio Functions
The FPD Portfolio
The Flight Projects Directorate manages the implementation, maintenance, and operations of end-to-end space architectures, including mission operations, tracking, and data acquisition services for missions supported by GSFC.
FPD assures that a strong and consistent program and project management approach is implemented on all projects including the establishment of overall requirements, design reviews, systems analysis, appropriate pre-launch test programs, and science data delivery from operational systems.
![NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope launched Dec. 25 at 7:20 a.m. EST on an Ariane 5 rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, on the northeastern coast of South America.](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/webb_launch_final_side_image.jpg?w=916)
Astrophysics
Focuses on missions and technologies aimed at answering: How do galaxies, stars, and planetary systems form and evolve?
An Amazing Legacy for Astrophysics: Hubble, JWST, and More!
![This release features four separate images that combine X-ray data from the Chandra Observatory, and infrared data from the James Webb Space Telescope, and some data from other telescopes like Hubble, Spitzer and XMM-Newton. The dark but colorful, highly detailed, composite images, are presented individually, and in a two-by-two grid.](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/chandrawebb2-labeled-1.jpg?w=1024)
Heliophysics
Addresses solar structure and magnetic activity, solar wind, solar disturbances, and their effects on Earth’s upper atmosphere
Goddard's Heliophysics Science Division![](https://images-assets.nasa.gov/image/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001057/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001057~orig.jpg?w=2048&h=1536&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)
Planetary &
Lunar Science
Supports new scientific measurements to explore the solar system. Primary research areas include developing instruments for landers and orbiting spacecraft, as well as providing entire spacecraft/observatories
Goddard's Planetary Systems Laboratory![LRO image of the floor and eastern wall of the Antoniadi crater.](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/lro-3.png?w=476)
Cross-Cutting
Technology &
Capabilities
Addresses technology or capabilities which are applicable to more than one strategic line of business, everything from nano-materials, electronics and detectors, to system architectures
NASA's Exploration & In-space Services![The Shuttle Era's Final Spacewalk](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/569953main_s135e007548_full.jpg?w=1024)
Suborbital
Platforms &
Range Services
Focuses on technologies that allow carriers to fly at new locations, altitude regimes, and for extended durations. The line of business also focuses on reducing the weight of instruments flying on NASA’s Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) platforms.
Goddard's Suborbital Research![vanilla_aircraft_landing_zap.jpg](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/vanilla_aircraft_landing_zap.jpg?w=1024)
Upcoming Launches
Launch Readiness dates
Visit the NASA Launch Schedule for more launch information
Internal Team Resources
400 Internal Sharepoint website (password required)
Critical Path Newsletter
Centers & Facilities
![](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/plugins/nasa-blocks/assets/images/centers-and-facilities/centers-and-facilities-map.jpg)
Goddard Space Flight Center
Location
Greenbelt
Founded
May 1st, 1959
People
10,000
Director
Makenzie Lystrup