NASA Directorates

The Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate manages human exploration system development for lunar orbital, lunar surface, and Mars exploration. Artemis missions will open a new era of scientific discovery and economic opportunity on the Moon while validating operations and systems and preparing for human missions to Mars. Programs in the directorate include the Space Launch System rocket, Orion spacecraft, supporting ground systems, human landing systems, spacesuits, and Gateway.

The Mission Support Directorate enables NASA’s missions by providing foundational support capabilities responsive to evolving mission needs. The directorate delivers services and capabilities that ensure NASA has the technical skills, physical assets, financial resources, and top talent to be successful while also providing novel, innovative, high-quality solutions and leading-edge enterprise services to empower NASA customers, partners, and employees.

The Science Mission Directorate is an organization where discoveries in one scientific discipline have a direct route to other areas of study. This flow is something extremely valuable and is rare in the scientific world. From exoplanet research to better understanding Earth’s climate to understanding the influence of the sun on our planet and the solar system, the directorate’s work is interdisciplinary and collaborative. 

The Space Operations Mission Directorate maintains a continuous human presence in space for the benefit of people on Earth. The programs within the directorate are the heart of NASA’s space exploration efforts, enabling Artemis, commercial space, science, and other agency missions through communication, launch services, research capabilities, and crew support. 

Technology drives exploration and the space economy. NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate aims to transform future missions while ensuring American leadership in aerospace. The directorate develops, demonstrates, and transfers new space technologies that benefit NASA, commercial, and other government missions.