To visit the SOHO Experimenters' Operations Facility (EOF) at Goddard
Space Flight Center, you need to apply for a temporary badge.
US Citizens
If you are a US citizen, send an email with: your
full name, work address, work phone number, purpose of the visit, who
you will be working with/visiting, and the dates you will be visiting,
to the SOHO Experimenters' Analysis Facility Administrator,
Joan Rurka. The
bare minimum time limit for US citizens is 48 hours between the
signature of a form with that information by the correct person and
the beginning of the visit, although leaving a much larger margin is
highly recommended.
Foreign Nationals
If you are a foreign national (including green card
holders), you need to follow the instructions in this document (Word format).
The information on the form will be entered into the system by Joan
Rurka. The time requirements for processing after that is 20
working days for foreign nationals from
non-designated countries, 60 calendar days for
foreign nationals from designated
countries*, and 90 calendar days for
foreign nationals under the NASA Exchange Visitor Program (J-1 Visa).
Foreign National Badge
Types
There are two types of badges issued to foreign nationals: FN and
FN-LA. The FN-LA badges give you limited access,
i.e. only access between 6am and 6pm on working days
(no weekends or holidays).
In order to get a non-limited (FN) badge, you must either have a
completed, valid "NAC" (National Agency Check) on file with NASA (they
are valid for 3 years), or be on the SOHO Accredited List. (If your
name appears on the current Accredited list, you should already have a
completed NAC or have been asked to submit the paperwork for one.) If
you cannot remember whether you have a current NAC, please contact
Joan Rurka.
In order to get a NAC done, you must submit a form referred to as the
"NAC form". This form should be filled in
electronically or with a typewriter and sent (electronically, printed
or scanned) to Joan
Rurka at the SOHO EAF. The form will
have to be signed in person in front of a GSFC Security official upon
entry. Unfortunately, NAC form processing may take anywhere up to 3
months or even a year to be completed, depending on circumstances.
While you're waiting for a NAC to be completed
If your name is not already on the Accredited list, and the NAC
process is still ongoing, you will nominally be limited to an FN-LA
badge. If an emergency develops and you need evening, weekend, or US
holiday access to the EOF, please contact Joan Rurka as far in advance as
possible. (We realize emergencies rarely materialize with much
warning.) If Joan Rurka is not available, contact Joe Gurman, the US Project
Scientist. If neither Joe Gurman nor Joan Rurka can be reached, contact Terry
Kucera, the US Deputy Project Scientist.
What to do if you arrive at Goddard and there's no badge waiting
for you
One of the most frustrating things that can happen to a visitor is
arriving at the Goddard guardhouse, passport in hand, and finding the
guards have no record of the badge you were promised. The guards are
supposed to know how to access the system that lists each
day's visitors and whom to contact in such cases, but there is a
constant turnover in the guard force, and some newer guards will miss
important details.
Please remain calm and polite with the guards; they're doing
the best job they can, and without further information, they can't
issue you a badge no matter how excited you get. Contact Joan Rurka
using the phone at the guardhouse; if she's unavailable, contact Joe Gurman
or Terry Kucera. You can also ask the guard to check with the International
Office, which is now part of the Security division. The person who
handles foreign national badge requests there, Lois
Otterson, should also be able to help guards unfamiliar with the
system to find information about your visit.
For any questions regarding forms or access, please contact
Joan Rurka.
Practical Issues
Badges can only be picked up on workdays between 7 am and 3 pm.
The guards can look up phone numbers or lend you a copy of the Goddard
phone directory. SOHO phone numbers can be found on this page
Computer Access
If you are bringing your own computer to GSFC, be aware that you will be unable to immediately
connect to the NASA network. GSFC Network Security will have to scan your computer before it is
allowed to become part of the computer network. Both arranging and undergoing this computer sc
an is a time-consuming process and visitors who intend to stay few days (a week or less) are di
scouraged from going through the process. However, if it is absolutely necessary, please notify
Joan Rurka.
If you are not bringing your own computer to GSFC but plan to use computers already on the netw
ork, be aware that before doing so, you must submit a Foreign National Account Request form (av
ailable in PDF
and Word formats). Please submit this to
Joan Rurka.
If you have filled-out an Account Request Form in the past, please contact Joan Rurka to find o
ut if the one you have on file is still active.
(*)
Designated countries: Afghanistan, Angola,
Bahrain, Belarus, Bhutan,
Burma (Myanmar), China, Congo, Cuba,
Cyprus, Egypt, Haiti, Hong Kong,
India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq,
Israel, Jordan, North Korea, Kuwait,
Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macau,
Oman, Pakistan, Quatar, Rwanda, Saudi
Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria,
Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam,
Republic of Yemen, Zimbabwe,
or the latest list provided by the US
State
Department.