Science Mission Directorate
Encyclopedia
The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) engages the United States’ science community, sponsors scientific research, and develops and deploys satellites and probes in collaboration with NASA’s partners around the world to answer fundamental questions requiring the view from and into space.
The Science Mission Directorate also sponsors research that both enables, and is enabled by, NASA's exploration activities. The SMD portfolio is contributing to NASA’s achievement of the Vision for Space Exploration by striving to:
(1998–2004, 2008–present), Mary L. Cleave
(2004–2007), and Alan Stern
(2007–2008). Stern resigned 25 March 2008, to be effective 11 April, over disagreements with Administrator Michael D. Griffin
. Edward J. Weiler is the current Associate Administrator for the NASA Science Mission Directorate.
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
(NASA) engages the United States’ science community, sponsors scientific research, and develops and deploys satellites and probes in collaboration with NASA’s partners around the world to answer fundamental questions requiring the view from and into space.
The Science Mission Directorate also sponsors research that both enables, and is enabled by, NASA's exploration activities. The SMD portfolio is contributing to NASA’s achievement of the Vision for Space Exploration by striving to:
- Understand the history of Mars and the formation of the solar system. By understanding the formation of diverse terrestrial planets (with atmospheres) in the solar system, researchers learn more about Earth’s future and the most promising opportunities for habitation beyond our planet. For example, differences in the impacts of collisional processes on Earth, the Moon, and Mars can provide clues about differences in origin and evolution of each of these bodies.
- Search for Earth-like planets and habitable environments around other stars. SMD pursues multiple research strategies with the goal of developing effective astronomically-detectable signatures of biological processes. The study of the Earth-Sun system may help researchers identify atmospheric biosignatures that distinguish Earth-like (and potentially habitable) planets around nearby stars. An understanding of the origin of life and the time evolution of the atmosphere on Earth may reveal likely signatures of life on extrasolar planets.
- Explore the solar system for scientific purposes while supporting safe robotic and human exploration of space. For example, large-scale coronal mass ejections from the Sun can cause potentially lethal consequences for improperly shielded human flight systems, as well as some types of robotic systems. SMD’s pursuit of interdisciplinary scientific research focus areas will help predict potentially harmful conditions in space and protect NASA’s robotic and human explorers.
Leadership
Recent Associate Administrators for the SMD include Edward J. WeilerEdward J. Weiler
Dr. Edward J. Weiler is the current Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. He received his PhD in astrophysics from Northwestern University in 1976...
(1998–2004, 2008–present), Mary L. Cleave
Mary L. Cleave
Mary Louise Cleave is an American engineer and a former NASA astronaut. She also served from 2004 to 2007 as NASA Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate.-Personal :...
(2004–2007), and Alan Stern
Alan Stern
S. Alan Stern is an American planetary scientist. He is the principal investigator of the New Horizons mission to Pluto....
(2007–2008). Stern resigned 25 March 2008, to be effective 11 April, over disagreements with Administrator Michael D. Griffin
Michael D. Griffin
Michael Douglas Griffin is an American physicist and aerospace engineer. From April 13, 2005 to January 20, 2009 he served as Administrator of NASA, the space agency of the United States...
. Edward J. Weiler is the current Associate Administrator for the NASA Science Mission Directorate.
Organization
- Associate Administrator: Edward J. WeilerEdward J. WeilerDr. Edward J. Weiler is the current Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. He received his PhD in astrophysics from Northwestern University in 1976...
- Deputy Associate Administrator: Charles J. Gay
- Heliophysics Division Director: Richard Fisher
- Earth Science Division Director: Michael Freilich
- Planetary Science Division Director: James L. GreenJames L. Green (scientist)James Lauer Green is an American space physicist born in Burlington, Iowa. After receiving a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Iowa, Green began his professional career working in the Magnetospheric Physics Branch at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center...
- Planetary Science Division Deputy Director: W. James AdamsW. James AdamsW. James Adams is the Deputy Director of the Planetary Science Division in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. In this capacity, he oversees the Discovery, New Frontiers, Lunar Science and Mars programs and is responsible for the development of several key technologies including Ion Propulsion,...
- Mars Exploration Program Director: Doug McCuistionDoug McCuistionDoug McCuistion is the Director of the Mars Exploration Program, NASA’s science-driven program that seeks to understand whether Mars was, is, or can be a habitable world...
- Planetary Science Division Deputy Director: W. James Adams
- Astrophysics Division Director: Jon Morse
- Strategic Integration and Management Division Director: Dan Woods
- Resource Management Division Director: Craig Tupper