NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

 

Marshall Space Flight Center’s (MSFC) crosscutting expertise in science and engineering provides the agency with unique and critical capabilities to take the next giant leap in space exploration.

MSFC is responsible for space shuttle propulsion elements, hardware and payload operations for the International Space Station, and science missions such as the Discovery and New Frontiers programs and the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Marshall will continue to lead the way in propulsion, science, and discovery, in part because of Marshall’s exceptional team of renowned experts and its more than 50 unique, specialized laboratories and facilities.

Marshall is designing and developing the Ares I and Ares V launch vehicles, essential components in the plan to establish a lunar base and eventually fly longer duration exploration missions. Living on the Moon will allow us to learn how to thrive in the hostile environment of space so that we can extend our reach farther into the universe—exploring Mars, asteroids, and other locations. To accomplish this, Marshall is developing specialized, scientific spacecraft, including new robotic lunar orbiters and landers.