All NJSGC programs are financially supported by NASA and require direct alignment with one of the six Mission Directorates:
Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD)
ARMD focuses on high-risk, high-payoff research investments that will enable the transformation of aviation to serve future needs, produce demonstrable benefits, and leverage technology advances outside of, as well as within, traditional aviation disciplines. Major technology emphases include electrified aircraft propulsion and the use of alternative energy; low-sonic-boom supersonic flight; fundamental research to enable routine, reusable airbreathing hypersonic flight; automation and autonomy; sustainable alternative jet fuels; and fostering new aviation applications in Urban Air Mobility (UAM). Collectively, these efforts, other technologies, and a focus on technology convergence will develop transformative solutions towards the ultimate goal of a safe, efficient, adaptive, scalable, and environmentally sustainable global aviation system.
Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD)
The Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate defines and manages systems development for programs critical to the NASA’s Artemis program and planning for NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration approach in an integrated manner. ESDMD manages the human exploration system development for lunar orbital, lunar surface, and Mars exploration. ESDMD leads the human aspects of the Artemis activities as well as the integration of science into the human system elements. ESDMD is responsible for development of the lunar and Mars architectures. Programs in the mission directorate include Orion, Space Launch System, Exploration Ground Systems, Gateway, Human Landing System, and Extravehicular Activity (xEVA) and Human Surface Mobility.
Science Mission Directorate (SMD)
NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and the nation's science community use space observatories to conduct scientific studies of the Earth from space; to visit and return samples from other bodies in the solar system; to peer out into our Galaxy and beyond; and to leverage space-based laboratories to understand how biological and physical systems work at a fundamental level. NASA's science program seeks answers to profound questions that touch us all:
- How and why are Earth's climate and the environment changing?
- How and why does the Sun vary and affect Earth and the rest of the solar system?
- How do planets and life originate?
- How does the universe work, and what are its origin and destiny?
- Are we alone?
- How do we go farther and stay longer?
Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD)
SOMD manages NASA’s current and future space operations in and beyond low-Earth orbit (LEO), including commercial launch services to the International Space Station. SOMD operates and maintains exploration systems, develops and operates space transportation systems, and performs broad scientific research on orbit. In addition, SOMD is responsible for managing the space transportation services for NASA and NASA-sponsored payloads that require orbital launch, and the agency's space communications and navigation services supporting all NASA’s space systems currently in orbit.
Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) aims to transform future missions while ensuring American leadership in aerospace. As NASA embarks on the next era of space exploration with Artemis, STMD is advancing technologies and testing new capabilities at the Moon. Many of the same systems will prove critical at Mars. STMD’s portfolio spans a range of discipline areas and technology readiness levels.
STMD bolsters and funds diverse ideas from entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators across the country. Space technology research and development occurs at NASA centers, universities, national labs, and small businesses. STMD leverages partnerships with other government agencies and commercial partners to quickly advance and demonstrate cross-cutting capabilities.
Mission Support Directorate (MSD)
The Mission Support Directorate (MSD) enables NASA's missions by providing foundational support capabilities responsive to evolving mission needs. We deliver services and capabilities that ensure NASA has the technical skills, physical assets, financial resources, and top talent to be successful. We provide novel, innovative, high-quality solutions and leading-edge enterprise services to empower NASA customers, partners, and employees.