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Exploration for the Benefit of All

For more than 80 years, NASA Glenn has been conducting research and innovating technologies for the benefit of all. The center has been instrumental in nearly every NASA space exploration and science mission, providing expertise propulsion, power, physics, materials, and cryogenic fluid management. 

Learn More about Exploration for the Benefit of All
earth moon mars mosaic

NASA Glenn manages several mission-essential projects, hardware development efforts, and test campaigns for Artemis.

A test version of the European Service Module is installed inside a large, white room with horns lining the wall on the left side.

European Service Module

Managing the development and integration of Orion’s powerhouse which provides power, life support, and propulsion for Artemis explorers.

Engineers Assemble Universal Stage Adapter Test Article

Universal Stage Adapter

Building a new adapter that will allow NASA’s Mega Moon rocket to carry more cargo on future Artemis mission.

Environmental Testing

Conducting mission-critical testing of spacecraft before they launch on Artemis missions.

Electrifying Propulsion

NASA uses big, powerful rockets that produce millions of pounds of thrust to break free of Earth’s gravity. But once in space, NASA’s most capable propulsion system produces just one pound of thrust while costing less, carrying more, and reaching speeds up to 200,000 mph.

A solar electric propulsion Hall Effect thruster being tested under vacuum conditions at NASA.

Since the 1950s, NASA Glenn has been lead center for the agency’s electric propulsion development efforts.

Hall Thruster

Electric Propulsion

Learn how electric propulsion works and why its NASA’s preferred system for deep space missions.

Solar Electric Propulsion

Developing and testing high-power solar electric propulsion for future agency and commercial missions.

An illustration of Gateway in lunar orbit next to the Moon.

Power and Propulsion Element

Proving high-power solar electric propulsion on NASA’s lunar space station called Gateway.

Powering Exploration

Extended stays on the Moon or Mars present many environmental challenges, including lack of sunlight and extreme temperatures. To overcome these challenges, NASA Glenn is developing power systems that will work together to provide future missions with abundant, reliable power.

The Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator for NASA'S Mars 2020 Perseverance rover is shown during a fit check with the rover in a payload processing facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 16-17, 2020.

Glenn’s expertise developing power and propulsion systems enables missions to the Moon, Mars, and destinations beyond.

Artist concept of new fission power system on the lunar surface.

Fission Surface Power

Designing a fission power system capable of generating 40 kilowatts of energy – enough to run 30 houses for 10 years.

Masked female researcher behind a Stirling converter taking a measurement.

Radioisotope Power

Enabling science missions to the deepest, darkest, and dustiest parts of our solar system.

In a NASA lab, a male researcher in a white laboratory coat with latex gloves, dips a brush into a beaker filled with adhesive.

Solar Power

Revolutionizing solar power technologies to support exploration on the Moon and Mars while bringing innovations back to Earth.

Microgravity Research

NASA’s deep space exploration efforts start just 260 miles above Earth’s surface. Glenn is advancing our understanding of physics and human physiology on the International Space Station. Much of that work benefits not only NASA missions but life here on Earth.

image of an astronaut setting up combustion experiment hardware

Advancements in fire safety, life support systems, and crew health can extend mission duration and enhance the safety of space travel.

A spherical blue flame with an interior conductor.

Biomedical and Physical Sciences

Using spaceflight environments to study phenomena in ways that cannot be done on Earth.

Astronaut Suni Williams Excercises on Treadmill

Human Health and Performance

Studying the effect long-term spaceflight has on the human body and developing ways to combat any harmful effects.

The SHIIVER tank sits inside the In-Space Propulsion Facility’s vacuum chamber at NASA’s Plum Brook Station.

Cryogenic Fluid Management

Learning how fluids behave in space to improve propulsion, propellant, and life support systems.

Space Communications

With more entities now exploring space, the environment is becoming more dynamic. NASA Glenn is developing multiple communications technologies—cognitive, optical, quantum—to help manage spacecraft operations for future missions. 

An artist's depiction of a future lunar communications network. An astronaut stands on the surface of the Moon and sends communications to an orbiting spacecraft and back to Earth.

Space communication enables the critical exchange of data between spacecraft and ground facilities during every NASA mission.

The SCaN Testbed prior to launch to the International Space Station.

Space Communications and Navigation

Performs technology development for a wide range of SCaN capabilities and conducts spectrum management for the agency.

A blue antenna faces to the right with a bright blue sky behind it.

Communications Services Project

Glenn is also investigating how emerging commercial satellite communications capabilities can support future agency missions near Earth.

Space and Planetary Science

NASA Glenn supports the agency’s many planetary science missions by contributing scientific and systems engineering expertise and unique its testing facilities.

Artist rendition of astronaut inspecting dust on the lunar surface.

Glenn provides unique scientific expertise and capabilities to advance our understanding of the universe around us.

lunar lander

Planetary Exploration Science Technology Office

Developing power, scientific instruments, and other technologies for future missions headed to the furthest reaches of our solar system.

Glenn Extreme Environment Rig (GEER)

Glenn Extreme Environments Rig

Creates high temperature and pressure environments here on Earth to test technologies in hellish conditions.

Illustration of a rocket launching off the surface the Saturn’s moon Titan.

Compass Lab

A specialized team of engineers and scientists who design and analyze spacecraft and mission concepts for the future.

Out-of-This World Materials

NASA Glenn develops materials for the extreme environments found the surfaces of the Moon and Mars, and for other exploration and science missions to destinations beyond.

Spring Tire for Improved Durability

Glenn’s work improves space propulsion systems, planetary surface operations, and technologies used on Earth.

Rover Tires with Memory

Building and testing innovative airless tires with shape memory alloys that are nearly indestructible.

closeup of a 3-d printed part on a blue background

Advanced Materials and Structures

Developing materials that can survive in extreme environments and protect our explorers from the harmful effects of space travel.

Images of integrated circuit before and after testing.

Extreme Electronics

Creating silicon carbide materials for electronic subsystems operating in harsh aerospace conditions. 

Keep Exploring

Discover More Topics From NASA

Artemis News and Articles

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Space Technology Mission Directorate