Leadership Team
The Office of the Associate Administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is responsible for directing and overseeing the nation’s space research program in Earth and space science. The Directorate engages the external and internal science community to define and prioritize science questions and seeks to expand the frontiers of five broad scientific pursuits: Earth Science, Planetary Science, Biological and Physical Sciences, Heliophysics, and Astrophysics.
Through a variety of robotic observatory and explorer craft, and through sponsored research, the Directorate provides virtual human access to the farthest reaches of space and time, as well as practical information about changes on our home planet.
Associate Administrator
Deputy Associate Administrator
Deputy Associate Administrator for Research
Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration
Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs
Deputy Associate Administrator for Management
Senior Advisor to the Associate Administrator
Science Division Directors
The SMD Division Directors lead NASA scientists and engineers across the globe in the development and operations of over 100 missions/year.
Biological and Physical Sciences Division Director
Earth Science Division Director
Joint Agency Satellite Division Director
Planetary Science Division Director
Astrophysics Division Director
Heliophysics Division Acting Director
Program Directors
Mars Sample Return Program Director
Other Division Directors
Resource Management Division Director
Science Engagement and Partnerships Division Director
Branch Chiefs
Chief of Policy Branch
SMD Chief Technologist
Program Officers
Senior Communications Official
Karen Fox
Senior Communications Official