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.
NASA has selected 34 global volunteers to track the Orion spacecraft during the crewed Artemis II mission’s journey around the…
Listen to this audio excerpt from Dustin Gohmert, Orion Crew Survival System (OCSS) manager: During NASA’s Artemis II mission around…
As America approaches its 250th anniversary of declaring independence, NASA’s Artemis II mission will carry a host of mementos that…
Read this article in English here. Conforme la NASA se acerca al lanzamiento del vuelo de prueba Artemis II, la agencia pronto…
Lee este artículo en español aquí. As NASA moves closer to launch of the Artemis II test flight, the agency…
As booster manager for NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System), Dave Reynolds’ path to NASA is embodied by his childhood poster…