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HEO Committee of the NASA Advisory Council

NASA Advisory Council (NAC)

sunrise over earth image taken from the ISS

The Human Exploration and Operations (HEO) Committee is a standing committee of the NASA Advisory Council supporting the advisory needs of the NASA Administrator and the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, as well as other NASA Mission Directorates. The scope of the Committee includes all human exploration and operations-related programs, projects, activities and facilities at NASA.

The Human Exploration and Operations Committee meets three times a year, usually several days before the meeting of the full NASA Advisory Council. Meetings are open to the public and are announced on this website, as well as in the Federal Register. The Committee’s members are appointed by the Administrator of NASA, and represent a wealth of experience and expertise. Committee members are appointed for two years.

Point of Contact for HEO Committee: Dr. Bette Siegel, Executive Secretary: bette.siegel@nasa.gov

Meet the NASA Advisory Council Human Exploration and Operations Committee:

  • Mr. Wayne Hale, Chair
  • Ms. Nancy Ann Budden, Director for Special Operations Technology, Office of the Secretary of Defense
  • Dr. Stephen “Pat” Condon, Aerospace Consultant, former Commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Center, the Arnold Engineering Development Center, and the Air Force Armament Laboratory
  • Mr. Michael Lopez-Alegria,  Former NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Captain, President of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation
  • Mr. James Voss, Former NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Army Colonel, Scholar in Residence, Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder
  • Ms. Lynn Cline, Former NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations
  • Mr. Kwatsi Alibaruho, Vice President, Program Management – Industrial Sector Eaton
  • Dr. George Sowers, Professor at the Colorado School of Mines
  • C. Douglas Ebersole, Former Executive Director, Air Force Research Laboratory
  • Dr. Ellen Stofan, Under Secretary for Science and Research at the Smithsonian Institution

Meeting Minutes and Reports

May 15-16, 2023 (Virtual Meeting)
Agenda (PDF) 
› Minutes (PDF) 

› ESDMD Status Update – Mr. Jim Free (3.5 MB PDF)
› Moon to Mars Status Update – Mr. Amit Kshatriya, Ms. Lakiesha Hawkins & Mr. Steve Creech (16 MB PDF)
› Strategy and Architecture Update – Ms. Cathy Koerner (9 MB PDF)
› Transitioning and Infusing Technologies into Artemis Missions – Ms. Nujoud Merancy and Mr. Walt Engelund (4 MB PDF)
› STMD ISRU Investments Status Update – Ms. Niki Werkheiser (6.5 MB PDF)
› STMD Nuclear Investments Status Update – Dr. Anthony Calomino (3 MB PDF)
› SOMD Status Update – Mr. Ken Bowersox (4.5 MB PDF)
› SOMD Budget Update – Ms. Elaine Slaugh (7 MB PDF)
› International Space Station Status Update – Ms. Robyn Gatens (21.5 MB PDF)
› Commercial Spaceflight Division Status Update – Mr. Phil McAlister (2 MB PDF)
› Human Research Program Status Update – Mr. Dave Bauman (10 MB PDF)
› Office of Chief Health and Medical Officer Status Update – Dr. J.D. Polk (8 MB PDF)

October 31 – November 1, 2022 (Virtual Meeting)

Agenda (PDF)
Minutes (PDF)

ESDMD/SOMD Status Report – Mr. Jim Free & Ms. Kathryn Lueders (8 MB PDF)
Artemis I–IV Mission Overview / Status – Mr. Amit Kshatriya & Mr. Mark Kirasich (19.5 MB PDF)
International Space Station Status – Ms. Robyn Gatens (10.5 MB PDF)
Commercial Spaceflight Division Status – Mr. Phil McAlister (6 MB PDF)
Commercial LEO Development/Commercial Space Stations Status – Ms. Angela Hart (3 MB PDF)

*508 charts will be posted when available

July 2022 HEO Committee Deliberations and Public Comments

Agenda (PDF)

July 2022 Joint-Committee Meeting with the Science  Committee

Agenda (PDF)
Minutes (PDF)

Moon to Mars Architecture Status Update, Catherine Koerner and Dr. Greg Chavers
Cross-Directorate Science Utilization, Dr. Jake Bleacher and Dr. Brad Bailey
Process on Integration and Implementation of Science in Artemis, Stephanie Dudley
Planetary Decadal Discussion: Lunar Updates, Dr. Sarah Noble
Planetary Decadal Discussion: Human Exploration, Dr. Sarah Noble

*508 charts will be posted when available

January 18-19, 2022 (Virtual Meeting)
Agenda (PDF) 
› Minutes (PDF) 

› SOMD/ESDMD Status Report – Ms. Kathryn Lueders & Mr. Jim Free (6.5 MB PDF)
› International Space Station Status – Ms. Robyn Gatens (5 MB PDF) 
› Commercial Spaceflight Division Status – Mr. Phil McAlister (2 MB PDF) 
› Commercial Crew Program Status – Mr. J. Steve Stich (3 MB PDF) 
› Systems Engineering and Integration Status – Mr. Greg Chavers (3 MB PDF)
› Exploration Systems Development Status – Mr. Amit Kshatriya (3.5 MB PDF)
› Advanced Exploration Systems Status – Mr. Mark Kirasich (2 MB PDF)

*508 charts will be posted when available

January 13-14, 2021 (Virtual Meeting)
› Agenda (PDF) 
› Minutes (PDF)

› International Space Station Status and Transition – Ms. Robyn Gatens (35 MB PDF) 
SCaN Commercialization of Near Earth Communication Status – Mr. Greg Heckler (2 MB PDF) 
› Commercial Crew Program Status – Mr. Phil McAlister (15 MB PDF) 
Artemis Overview – Ms. Kathy Lueders (23 MB PDF) 
› SMD Artemis and CLPS Activities Overview – Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen (1 MB PDF) 
› Moon-to-Mars Update – Dr. David Burns (1.5 MB PDF) 
› Solar System and Beyond Update – Dr. Lori Glaze & Dr. Sarah Noble (3 MB PDF) 
› HERMES Instrument Update – Dr. James Spann & Mr. James Favors (1 MB PDF) 
› Artemis III Science Definition Team Update – Dr. Renee Weber (2 MB PDF) 
› Advancing Biological and Physical Sciences Through Lunar Exploration Update – Dr. Kevin Sato (1 MB PDF) 
› SMD Mars Science Update – Dr. Michael Meyer (3 MB PDF)
› Planetary Protection Activities at Intersections of Human and Science Missions to Mars – Dr. Lisa Pratt (1 MB PDF) 
› Artemis Accords – Mr. Mike Gold (6 MB PDF) 

May 13-14, 2020 (Virtual Meeting)
› Agenda (PDF) 
› Minutes (PDF) 

› Human Exploration & Operations Mission Directorate Overview – Mr. Doug Loverro (159.5 MB PDF)
› International Space Station Status and Transition – Mr. Kirk Shireman (55 MB PDF)
› Low Earth Orbit Commercialization Status – Mr. Phil McAlister (33.5 MB PDF)
› Commercial Crew Program Status – Mr. Phil McAlisters (9 MB PDF)
 Deep Space Gateway and Concept Status – Mr. Dan Hartman (35 MB PDF)
› Exploration Systems Development Status – Mr. Tom Whitmeyer (93 MB PDF)
› Advanced Exploration Systems (Deep Space Exploration) Status – Mr. Marshall Smith (90 MB PDF)
› FY 2021 Program Review Update – Mr. Brian Dewhiurst (22 MB PDF)
› Human Landing Systems Update – Dr. Lisa Watson-Morgan and Dr. Greg Chavers (2.5 MB PDF) 
› Sustained Lunar Exploration and Development Plan – Mr. Tom Cremens (1 MB PDF)

*508 charts will be posted when available

October 29-30, 2019  Kennedy Space Center (KSC)

Non-foreign nationals who wish to attend the meeting must send their full names with citizenship status to Bette Siegel, no later than three days before the meeting.
› Agenda (PDF)
› Minutes (PDF) 

› Human Exploration & Operations Mission Directorate Overview – Mr. Ken Bowersox (159.5 MB PDF)
› International Space Station Status and Transition – Mr. Sam Scimemi (118 MB PDF)
› Low Earth Orbit Commercialization Status – Mr. Doug Comstock (3.5 MB PDF)
› Commercial Crew Program Status – Ms. Kathy Lueders (23.5 MB PDF)
› Launch Services Program Status – Ms. Amanda Miskkevich (70 MB PDF)
› Exploration Systems Development Status – Mr. Tom Whitmeyer (43 MB PDF)
› Advanced Exploration Systems (Deep Space Exploration) Status – Mr. Marshall Smith (64 MB PDF)
Office of STEM Engagement Update – Mr. Mike Kincaid (26.5 MB PDF)

May 28-29, 2019  NASA Headquarters (HQ)
Agenda (PDF)
Minutes (PDF)

Human Exploration & Operations Mission Directorate Overview – Mr. Ken Bowersox (45 MB PDF)
International Space Station Status and Transition – Mr. Sam Scimemi (84 MB PDF)
Human Lunar Exploration Status – Mr. Marshall Smith (124 MB PDF)
Commercial Crew Program Status – Ms. Kathy Lueders (28 MB PDF)
Exploration Systems Development Status – Mr. Bill Hill (83 MB PDF)
President’s Proposed Budget – Ms. Elaine Slaugh (33 MB PDF)
Evolving Space Communication and Navigation Technologies – Mr. Badri Younes (356 MB PDF)

*508 charts will be posted when available

December 6-7, 2018  NASA Headquarters (HQ)
Agenda (PDF)
Minutes (PDF)

Human Exploration & Operations Mission Directorate Overview – Mr. Bill Gerstenmaier (126 MB PDF)
International Space Station Status and Transition – Mr. Sam Scimemi (76 MB PDF)
International Space Station Status Maintenance Trending – Mr. Sam Scimemi (9 MB PDF)
Exploration Systems Development Status – Mr. Tom Whitmeyer (75 MB PDF)
Commercial Crew Program Status – Mr. Phil McAlister (38 MB PDF)
Power Propulsion Element Status – Dr. Michele Gates (25 MB PDF)
Deep Space Gateway and Concept Status – Mr. Jason Crusan (35 MB PDF)

August 27-28, 2018  Ames Research Center (ARC)
Agenda (PDF)
Minutes (PDF)

Human Exploration & Operations Mission Directorate Overview – Mr. Bill Gerstenmaier (72 MB PDF)
International Space Station Status – Mr. Sam Scimemi (51.5 MB PDF)
Exploration Systems Development Status – Mr. Bill Hill (73 MB PDF)
Commercial Crew and Launch Readiness Process – Ms. Kathy Lueders (23 MB PDF)
Power Propulsion Element Status – Dr. Michele Gates (28 MB PDF)
SMD Cis-lunar Activities Overview – Mr. Thomas Zurbuchen and Steven Clarke (27 MB PDF)
HEO Cis-lunar and Gateway Overview – Mr. Bill Gerstenmaier and Mr. Jason Crusan (27 MB PDF)
Gateway Science Summary – Mr. John Guidi (5 MB PDF)
Community-Driven Priorities for Lunar Landed Science – Dr. Sarah Noble (7 MB PDF)
Rethinking Solar System Bombardment – Ms. Nicolle Zellner (9 MB PDF)
Transformative Science from the Moon – Mr. Jack Burns (14 MB PDF)

March 26-27, 2018  NASA Headquarters (HQ)
Agenda (PDF)
Minutes (PDF)

Human Exploration & Operations Mission Directorate Overview – Mr. Bill Gerstenmaier (64 MB PDF) 
Supplemental Budget Status Overview – Mr. Bill Gerstenmaier (1 MB PDF) 
Exploration Systems Development Status – Mr. Bill Hill and Mr. Marshall Smith (36 MB PDF) 
Commercial Crew Program Status – Ms. Kathy Lueders (9 MB PDF)
Space Life and Physical Sciences Status – Dr. Craig Kundrot (40.5 MB PDF) 
Power Propulsion Element Status – Dr. Michele Gates (21.5 MB PDF)
Future Human Exploration Planning: Deep Space Gateway and Concept Status – Mr. Jason Crusan (58 MB PDF) 
Global Exploration Roadmap – Ms. Kathy Laurini (12 MB PDF) 
International Space Station Status and Transition – Ms. Robin Gatens (50.5 MB PDF)

November 29-30, 2017  Kennedy Space Center (KSC)
Agenda (PDF)
Minutes (PDF)

Human Exploration & Operations Mission Directorate Overview – Mr. Bill Gerstenmaier (89 MB PDF)
International Space Station Status and Transition – Mr. Sam Scimemi (30 MB PDF)
Commercial Crew and Launch Readiness Process – Ms. Lisa Colloredo (6 MB)
Exploration Systems Development Status – Mr. Bill Hill and Mr. Marshall Smith (17 MB PDF)
Power Propulsion Element Status – Dr. Michele Gates (8.5 MB PDF)
Future Human Exploration Planning: Deep Space Gateway and Transport Concept Status – Mr. Jason Crusan (1 MB PDF)
Advanced Exploration Systems Update – Mr. Jason Crusan (44 MB PDF)

July 24-25, 2017  Hampton, VA
Agenda (PDF)
Minutes (PDF)

Human Exploration & Operations Mission Directorate Overview – Mr. Greg Williams (21 MB PDF)
International Space Station Status – Mr. Sam Scimemi (28 MB PDF)
Exploration Systems Development Status – Mr. Marshall Smith (3.5 MB PDF)
Commercial Crew Program Status – Mr. Steve Stich (4.5 MB PDF)
HEO Future Exploration Plans – Mr. Greg Williams (17 MB PDF)
Science Opportunities Overview – Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen (47 MB PDF)
Future Telescopes Human Servicing (21.5 MB PDF)
Future Assembly and Servicing Study Team – Dr. Ronald Polidan (3 MB PDF)
Science Enabled by Human Exploration – Dr. Ben Bussey (1.5 MB PDF
Mars Radiation Environment – Ms. Lisa C. Simonsen and Ms. Cary Zeitlin (21 MB PDF)

March 28, 2017  NASA Headquarters (HQ)
Agenda (PDF)
Minutes (PDF)

Progress in Defining the Deep Space Gateway and Transport Plan – Mr. Bill Gerstenmaier (10.5 MB PDF)
Exploration Architecture Planning – Mr. Jim Free (1 MB PDF)
International Space Station Status – Ms. Robin Gatens (17.5 MB PDF)
Space Life and Physical Sciences Status – Dr. Craig Kundrot (12 MB PDF)
Commercial Crew Program Status – Ms. Kathy Lueders (2 MB PDF)
Exploration Systems Development Status – Mr. Bill Hill (31 MB PDF)
Cislunar Hab/Environmental Control Life Support System – Mr. Jason Crusan/Ms. Robyn Gatens (22 MB PDF)
In-Space Power and Propulsion – Ms. Michele Gates (8 MB PDF)

November 14, 2016  Johnson Space Center (JSC)
Agenda (PDF)
Minutes (PDF)

Human Exploration & Operations Mission Directorate Overview – Mr. Greg Williams (18 MB PDF)
› International Space Station Status – Mr. Sam Scimemi (13 MB PDF)
Research Subcommittee Update – Dr. David Longnecker (1MB PDF)
Human Research Program Status – Mr. WH Paloski, PhD (90 MB PDF)
Commercial Crew Program Status – Ms. Kathy Lueders (7 MB PDF)
Exploration Systems Development Status – Mr. Bill Hill (25 MB PDF)

July 25-27, 2016  Cleveland, OH
Agenda (PDF)
Minutes (PDF)

Human Exploration & Operations Mission Directorate Overview – Mr. Bill Gerstenmaier (23 MB PDF)
Exploration Systems Development Status – Mr. Bill Hill (30 MB PDF)
International Space Station Status – Mr. Sam Scimemi (22 MB PDF)
Research Subcommittee Update – Dr. David Longnecker (1.5 MB PDF)
Space Life and Physical Sciences Status – Dr. D. Marshall Porterfield (45 MB PDF)
Asteroid Redirect Mission Status – Dr. Michele Gates (8 MB PDF)
System Maturation Teams ECLSS/ Fire Safety – Ms. Robyn Gatens (45.5 MB PDF)
Habitation Module Talk – Mr. Jason Crusan (7 MB PDF)
Commercial Crew Program Status – Mr. Phil McAlister (10 MB PDF)

March 2-3, 2016  NASA Headquarters (HQ)
Agenda (PDF)
Minutes (PDF)

Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Overview – Mr. Bill Gerstenmaier (6 MB PDF)
Human Space Flight Transition – Mr. Sam Scimemi (3 MB PDF)
International Space Station Status – Mr. Sam Scimemi (22.5 MB PDF)
Commercial Crew Program Status – Mr. Phil McAlister (4 MB PDF)
Exploration Systems Development Status – Mr. Bill Hill (15 MB PDF)
Asteroid Redirect Mission Status – Dr. Michele Gates (12 MB PDF)
Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Overview Budget Status – Ms. Toni Mumford (34.5 MB PDF)
NASA Program Management Process Update – Ms. Ellen Stigberg (1 MB PDF)