Research Library at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center to Close Friday

Unique archival collections face an uncertain future

The Goddard Space Flight Center’s research library will shut its doors this Friday, ending decades of service to NASA engineers, scientists, and historians.

The collection includes everything from early‑20th‑century aeronautical manuals to rare documents that chronicle the Soviet space race, offering a priceless glimpse into the history of space exploration.

Administrators say the materials will be either transferred to secure storage or, in some cases, discarded due to space constraints and budget pressures.

Officials emphasize that “preserving historically significant records is a priority,” but the decision reflects the harsh realities of limited resources.

Researchers are urged to request any needed items before the closure, as the window for access will be brief.