The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agency of the US federal government responsible for the United States's civil space program, aeronautics research and space research. Established in 1958, it su ...
(NASA) is one of the six directorates that constitute NASA. Its responsibility is to define and direct research into scientific questions of interest, sharing data acquired by NASA missions with the broader scientific community, sponsoring scientific research, and developing satellites and spacecraft in conjunction with other directorates and with partner organizations for scientific missions.
The Science Mission Directorate also sponsors research that both enables, and is enabled by, NASA's exploration activities. The SMD portfolio is contributing to NASA's achievement of the Vision for Space Exploration by striving to:
*Understand the
history of Mars and the
formation of the Solar System. By understanding the formation of diverse
terrestrial planets
A terrestrial planet, tellurian planet, telluric planet, or rocky planet, is a planet that is composed primarily of silicate, Rock (geology), rocks or metals. Within the Solar System, the terrestrial planets accepted by the IAU are the inner plane ...
(with atmospheres) in the Solar System, researchers learn more about Earth's future and the most promising opportunities for habitation beyond our planet. For example, differences in the impacts of collisional processes on Earth, the Moon, and Mars can provide clues about differences in origin and evolution of each of these bodies.
*Search for
Earth-like planets and
habitable environments around other stars. SMD pursues multiple research strategies with the goal of developing effective astronomically-detectable signatures of biological processes. The study of the Earth-Sun system may help researchers identify atmospheric
biosignatures
A biosignature (sometimes called chemical fossil or molecular fossil) is any substance – such as an element, isotope, molecule, or phenomenon – that provides scientific evidence of past or present life on a planet. Measurable ...
that distinguish Earth-like (and potentially habitable) planets around nearby stars. An understanding of the
origin of life
Abiogenesis is the natural process by which life arises from abiotic component, non-living matter, such as simple organic compounds. The prevailing scientific hypothesis is that the transition from non-living to organism, living entities on ...
and the time evolution of the atmosphere on Earth may reveal likely signatures of life on
extrasolar planets.
*Explore the Solar System for scientific purposes while supporting safe robotic and human exploration of space. For example, large-scale
coronal mass ejections
A coronal mass ejection (CME) is a significant ejection of plasma mass from the Sun's corona into the heliosphere. CMEs are often associated with solar flares and other forms of solar activity, but a broadly accepted theoretical understanding ...
from the Sun can cause potentially lethal consequences for improperly shielded human flight systems, as well as some types of robotic systems. SMD's pursuit of interdisciplinary scientific research focus areas will help predict potentially harmful conditions in space and protect NASA's robotic and human explorers.
Leadership
Nicola Fox is the Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate beginning February 27, 2023. Recent Associate Administrators for the SMD include
Edward J. Weiler (1998–2004, 2008–2011),
Mary L. Cleave
Mary Louise Cleave (February 5, 1947 – November 27, 2023) was an American engineer and NASA astronaut. She also served from 2005 to 2007 as NASA Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate.
Early life
Cleave was born in Southam ...
(2004–2005),
Alan Stern (2007–2008),
John M. Grunsfeld (2012–2016), and
Thomas Zurbuchen (2016-2022). Stern resigned 25 March 2008, to be effective 11 April, over disagreements with Administrator
Michael D. Griffin.
[Andrew Lawler,]
NASA's Stern Quits Over Mars Exploration Plans
(subscription required), ''Science
Science is a systematic discipline that builds and organises knowledge in the form of testable hypotheses and predictions about the universe. Modern science is typically divided into twoor threemajor branches: the natural sciences, which stu ...
'' 320, 31 (4 April 2008). Retrieved on 3 April 2008.
*Associate Administrator: Nicola Fox Assistant: Tricia Johnson
*Acting Deputy Associate Administrator: Mark Clampin
*Heliophysics Division Director: Joseph Westlake
*Earth Science Division Director: Karen St. Germain Assistant: Jacob Griffin
*Planetary Science Division Director: Louise M. Prockter
*Astrophysics Division Director:
*Biological and Physical Sciences Division Director: Lisa Carnell
*Resource Management Division Director: Holly Degn
*Joint Agency Satellite Division Director: John Gagosian
*Science Engagement and Partnerships Division Director: Kristen J Erickson
See also
*
Planetary Missions Program Office
*
Discovery Program
*
New Frontiers program
*
NASA large strategic science missions
*
Lunar Discovery and Exploration Program
References
External links
About the Science Mission Directorate
{{Authority control
NASA groups, organizations, and centers