Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate
The Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate defines and manages systems development for programs critical to NASA’s Artemis program and planning for NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration approach. ESDMD manages the human exploration system development for lunar orbital, lunar surface, and Mars exploration.
NASA has established the Moon to Mars Program Office within ESDMD to focus on hardware development, mission integration, and risk management functions for programs critical to the agency’s exploration approach. Artemis missions will open a new era of scientific discovery and economic opportunity at the Moon while validating operations and systems and to prepare for human missions to Mars. The Moon to Mars Program Office oversees development of the Space Launch System rocket, Orion spacecraft, supporting ground systems, human landing systems, spacesuits, Gateway, and more related to deep space exploration. The new office will also lead planning and analysis for long-lead developments to support Mars missions.
ESDMD Leadership
Meet the leaders who are guiding NASA's return to the Moon through Artemis and the future of human exploration at Mars.
Moon to Mars Program Office
Strategy and Architecture Office
ESDMD Programs
Explore the programs developing the hardware and systems to send humans to the Moon and Mars
Space Launch System (SLS)
Orion Spacecraft
Exploration Ground Systems Overview
Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility
Gateway Space Station News
Human Landing System
Fission Surface Power
Humans in Space
Learn more about NASA's work in low Earth orbit and future plans for human missions to the Moon and Mars.
Latest News
Stay up-to-date with the latest on humanity's return to the Moon under Artemis and our future plans to explore Mars.
The National Space Club & Foundation announced its annual award recipients March 13, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Two dedicated leaders from NASA’s…
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan signed the Artemis Accords Thursday during a ceremony hosted by NASA at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, becoming the latest nation to…
On April 1, 2026, Artemis II launched on a nearly 10-day voyage around the Moon, marking the first crewed flight of NASA’s Orion spacecraft. NASA…
On March 21, 2026, NASA’s Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche took the stage at the Space House event at South…
NASA successfully sent four astronauts around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years, setting the stage for…
Following NASA’s Artemis II mission successfully splashing down on Earth, engineers started diving into detailed analysis of data to assess…