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
Human Landing System
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.
Under NASA’s Artemis campaign, the agency and its partners will send large pieces of equipment to the lunar surface to…
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, will build a moonquake detector for astronauts to deploy on the Moon…
Defeating dust may be a small concern for most people on Earth, but for astronauts and spacecraft destined for the…
The Mercury 7 On April 9, 1959, reporters and news media crammed into the ballroom of the Dolley Madison House…
NASA selected 12 finalist teams to compete in the next round of the Human Lander Challenge (HuLC) competition. In 2023,…
NASA and its partners are developing the foundational systems needed for long-term exploration at the Moon for the benefit of…