NASA’s SmallSat LEARN Forum Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the goal of NASA’s SmallSat LEARN Forum?

NASA has extensive experience building and flying CubeSats and SmallSats, but knowledge resides in individual pockets within the agency and its partners. To facilitate networking, information exchange, and collaborative learning within the NASA SmallSat Community, NASA implemented the SmallSat LEARN Forum.

NASA’s SmallSat LEARN  Forum is a resource aimed at providing the NASA SmallSat Community with collaboration opportunities and information. LEARN stands for Learning from Experiences, Achievements, and Resolution Navigation and through the forum we will share and learn together as a community to become smarter implementers of these missions.

The goals for this forum include:

NASA’s SmallSat LEARN Forum includes multiple activities: virtual meetings, an annual in-person meeting, business-utilized spacecraft (BUS) series, and website.

• Virtual meetings: bi-monthly interactive webinar series with community members presentations that allow for thoughtful discussion and promote cross-sharing of information and lessons learned. Each virtual forum session lasts 1 hour and consists primarily of mission presentations and a community discussion.
• In-person meeting: yearly meeting full of presentations, panel discussions, classes, workshops and networking opportunities to learn from each other and expand personal SmallSat networks.
• Business-Utilized Spacecraft (BUS) Series: bi-weekly presentations by spacecraft bus industry providers
• Website: online presence with additional information and an archive hosting previous sessions (https://www.nasa.gov/smallsat-institute/LEARN).

The intended LEARN Forum audience consists of individuals who have directly worked on or submitted proposals to work on NASA SmallSat projects and missions. This includes, but is not limited to, principal investigators, project managers, and lead systems engineers. 

2. How many community members attend the NASA’s SmallSat LEARN In-Person Forum?

The annual NASA SmallSat LEARN In-Person Forum started in 2022, with subsequent sessions in 2023 and 2024. The average participation is 100 attendees per session.

3. Is there an option for virtual attendance to the NASA SmallSat LEARN In-Person Forum?

No virtual component is offered at this time. Networking is one of the primary goals of the meeting and it is more effective in person.

4. Do I need a NASA-issued badge or pass to attend?

Yes, the NASA SmallSat LEARN In-Person Forum will take place inside the NASA center and will require a NASA-issued badge to access the facility.

5. I have a NASA-issued PIV badge, can I use it to access NASA’s GSFC if I normally work at a different Center?

Yes, your NASA-issued PIV badge can be used for accessing GSFC. A NAMS request needs to be submitted and approved to gain access to the GSFC campus.

6. I am a US citizen or green card holder and do not have a NASA-issued PIV badge. What is the badging process at NASA’s GSFC?

The LEARN staff will submit the request and further instructions to pick up the pass will be provided.

7. I am a foreign national (not a US citizen or a green card holder). Can I participate in the In-Person LEARN Forum in 2025?

Due to uncertainty in staff planning, the LEARN forum is not offering access to foreign nationals this year. Access to foreign nationals working on NASA-funded SmallSats will be considered for the 2026 In-Person LEARN Forum.

8. I plan on driving an electric vehicle to NASA’s GSFC for the In-Person LEARN Forum. Is there a place to charge my electric vehicle on the facility or nearby?

NASA GSFC does not offer EV charging stations on site at this time.  Consult with your preferred charging station provider for nearby locations.

9. What lunch options are available at NASA’s GSFC during the In-Person LEARN Forum?

The committee is evaluating options for a voluntary organized lunch to maximize time at the venue and increase networking opportunities. The registered participants will be notified of the lunch option once finalized. Other options for lunch are available inside GSFC and nearby restaurants.

10. Is wireless internet available at NASA’s GSFC for my phone or my computer?

Guest wireless access is available across the campus. More information on how to access the service will be provided at the forum.

11. Where can I stay close to NASA GSFC at the government per diem rate?

GSFC is in Greenbelt, Maryland approximately 10 miles northeast of Washington, DC. The list below shows hotels near GSFC but other options are also available. The list is provided for convenience but does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation from NASA or the LEARN Forum.

Note, the DC metro area per diem rate for September 2025 is $275 for lodging and $92 for M&IE.

Hotel	Location	Distance from GSFC
Staybridge Suites Washington DC Greenbelt	10500 Eastgate Drive Lanham, MD 20706	1.7 miles
WoodSpring Suites Washington DC Northeast Greenbelt	7480 Greenway Center Drive Greenbelt, MD 20770	2.5 miles
Holiday Inn Washington DC Greenbelt	7200 Hanover Drive Building 1 Greenbelt, MD 20770	2.7 miles
Sonesta Select Greenbelt College Park	6301 Golden Triangle Drive Greenbelt, MD 20770	3.4 miles
Residence Inn Greenbelt	6320 Golden Triangle Drive Greenbelt, MD 20770	3.4 miles
Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC Greenbelt	7810 Walker Drive Greenbelt, MD 20770	3.5 miles

12. What airports are closer and more accessible to/from NASA GSFC?

The Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is the closest airport to NASA GSFC. For additional flight options, you can consider using the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and/or Washington Dulles International Airport.

13. I have additional questions that you haven’t answered yet. Who do I contact for more information?

If you have questions about the LEARN Forum, please contact gsfc-contact-learn@mail.nasa.gov.