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.
October marked the fifth anniversary of NASA and the original founders signing the Artemis Accords, as well as the recognition…
As 2026 nears, NASA continues moving forward to launching and flying Artemis II, the first crewed mission under the Artemis…
Listen to this audio excerpt from Ethan Jacobs, a helicopter pilot and member of the Colorado Army National Guard developing…
Brian Alpert’s path was always destined for the aerospace industry, but his journey turned toward NASA’s Johnson Space Center during…
At the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) taking place in Sydney this week, representatives from the United States and Australia gathered…
Curiosity and the desire to explore are traits deeply rooted in human nature. Space exploration is no exception; it reflects…