HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT — 2026 REALIGNMENT
In May 2026, NASA implemented an agency-wide realignment to unify
human-spaceflight leadership.
ESDMD
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Space
Operations
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HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT MISSION
DIRECTORATE
From Lunar Return to Sustained
Exploration
NASA’s human-exploration strategy utilizes
Artemis to establish a sustained lunar presence.
This provides the technologies and operational
experience required for future human missions to
Mars.
LEO
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MOON
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MARS / DEEP SPACE
Catalyzing the Orbital Economy
By serving as an anchor customer, NASA enables
a robust commercial space economy. Partnerships
in commercial crew, cargo, and LEO capabilities
allow the agency to focus on deep-space
discovery while supporting domestic aerospace
industry growth.
Science Vision
SMD DIRECTORATE-LEVEL VISION
"Using the vantage point of space to achieve deep
scientific understanding of Earth, the solar system,
the Sun and the universe beyond."
Earth:
Climate and ecosystem dynamics
Solar System:
Planetary processes
Sun:
Heliophysics and space weather
Universe:
Origins and fundamental physics
Innovation Beyond Spaceflight
Aeronautics
Advancing aviation and solving air-
transportation challenges.
Space Technology
Developing new capabilities that expand
future mission capacity.
Reseach & Tech
Breakthroughs in propulsion, nuclear
power, and navigation.
The realignment provides unified leadership for human-spaceflight and space-enabling
activities across low Earth orbit, the Moon, and beyond—strengthening accountability and
accelerating decision-making for the Artemis era.
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