Science and Technology Programs

  • Astrophysics Explorers - The Astrophysics Explorers program includes opportunities for innovative science and fill the scientific gaps between the larger missions. Small PI-led astrophysics missions are selected under the Explorer program, and are managed by the Astrophysics Division.
  • Astrophysics Research
  • Cosmic Origins - To observe the birth of the earliest galaxies, the formation of stars and their planetary systems in the Milky Way and other galaxies, and the origins of the elements necessary for life. Cosmic Origins tells the story of the processes that transpired from the Big Bang to the modern Universe. "How did we get here?"
  • Discovery - The Discovery Program conducts focused investigations that complement NASA's larger Planetary Science goals by launching smaller missions using fewer resources and shorter development times.
  • Earth Systematic Missions - The Earth Systematic Missions (ESM) Program includes a broad range of multi-disciplinary science investigations aimed at developing a scientific understanding of the Earth system and its response to natural and human-induced forces. Understanding these forces will help in determining how to mitigate them, appropriately and where possible, to avoid climate changes.
  • Earth System Science Pathfinder - The Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) Program addresses unique, specific, highly-focused mission requirements in Earth science research.
  • Exoplanet Exploration - NASA's Exoplanet Exploration Program represents a voyage of unprecedented scope and ambition, promising insight into humankind's most timeless question: Are we alone?
  • Explorers - The mission of the Explorer program is to provide frequent flight opportunities for scientific investigations from space.
  • GOES / POES - The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)/ Polar Operational Environmental Satellite (POES) program is a key element in National Weather Service (NWS) operations.
  • Heliophysics Explorers - This program is managed by the Heliophysics Division and solicits missions for both Heliophysics and Astrophysics.
  • Heliophysics Research - Over the past decade and more, physics-based modeling has played an increasingly important role both in defining the missions and in interpreting the observations. It is anticipated that within three years vast arrays of datasets will be available for real-time assimilation into predictive models.
  • Joint Agency Satellite Division
  • Living With a Star - Living With a Star is a cross-cutting program whose goals and objectives have links to each of the four NASA Strategic Enterprises: Space Science, Earth Science, Human Exploration and Development, and Aeronautics and Space Transportation.
  • Mars Exploration - The Mars Exploration Program is a science-driven program that seeks to understand whether Mars was, is, or can be, a habitable world.
  • New Frontiers - The New Frontiers Program represents a critical step in the advancement of solar system exploration.
  • Outer Planets Flagship
  • Physics of the Cosmos - Missions within the Physics of the Cosmos Program measure and test the validity of Einstein's theories of relativity.
  • Radioisotope Power Systems
  • Robotic Lunar Exploration
  • Solar Terrestrial Probes - The Program addresses fundamental science questions about the physics of space plasmas and the flow of mass and energy through the solar system.
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