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The United States Government Manual
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
300 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20546
202-358-0000
http://www.nasa.gov
Office of the Administrator
| ADMINISTRATOR | James F. Bridenstine |
| Deputy Administrator | (vacancy) |
| Associate Administrator | Stephen G. Jurczyk |
| Associate Administrator for Strategy and Plans | Thomas E. Cremins |
| Chief of Staff | Thomas E. Cremins, Acting |
| Deputy Associate Administrator | Melanie W. Saunders, Acting |
Administrator Staff Offices
| ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATORS | |
| Communications | Robert N. Jacobs, Acting |
| Diversity and Equal Opportunity | Stephen T. Shih |
| Education | Michael A. Kincaid |
| International and Interagency Relations | Albert Condes |
| Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs | Rebecca L. Lee, Acting |
| Small Business Programs | Glenn A. Delgado |
| CHIEFS | |
| Engineer | Ralph R. Roe |
| Financial Officer | Jeffrey DeWit |
| Health and Medical Officer | James D. Polk |
| Information Officer | Renee P. Wynn |
| Safety and Mission Assurance Officer | Terrence W. Wilcutt |
| Scientist | James L. Green |
| Technologist | Douglas A. Terrier |
| General Counsel | Sumara M. Thompson-King |
Mission Directorates
| ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATORS | |
| Aeronautics Research | Jaiwon Shin |
| Human Exploration and Operations | William H. Gerstenmaier |
| Science | Thomas Zurbuchen |
| Space Technology | James L. Reuter, Acting |
Mission Support Directorate
| Associate Administrator | Daniel J. Tenney |
| ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATORS | |
| Human Capital Management | Robert Gibbs |
| Procurement | Monica Y. Manning |
| Protective Services | Joseph S. Mahaley |
| Strategic Infrastructure | Calvin F. Williams |
| EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS | |
| Headquarters Operations | Jay M. Henn |
| NASA Shared Services Center | Anita F. Harrell |
Centers and Facilities
| DIRECTORS | |
| Ames Research Center | Eugene L. Tu |
| Armstrong Flight Center | David D. McBride |
| Glenn Research Center | Janet L. Kavandi |
| Goddard Space Flight Center | Christopher J. Scolese |
| Jet Propulsion Laboratory | Michael M. Watkins |
| Johnson Space Center | Mark S. Geyer |
| Kennedy Space Center | Robert D. Cabana |
| Langley Research Center | David E. Bowles |
| Marshall Space Flight Center | Joan A. Singer, Acting |
| Stennis Space Center | Richard J. Gilbrech |
| NASA Management Office | Marcus A. Watkins |
| Inspector General | Paul K. Martin |
The above list of key personnel was updated 9–2018.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration advances aeronautic research, explores space, and makes scientific discoveries for the benefit of humankind.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was established by the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.).
Activities
Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate
The Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate conducts research, ground tests, and flight demonstrations to develop technologies and tools that reduce the adverse effects of aviation on the environment, increase efficiency while maintaining safety in skies that are becoming more crowded, and prepare the way for the emergence of new aircraft shapes and propulsion. The Directorate's four research programs partner with industry, other government agencies, and universities to develop technologies, converge breakthroughs from other fields, and ensure that the next generation workforce has the vision and skills for maintaining U.S. leadership in aviation.
http://www.aeronautics.nasa.govHuman Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate
The Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate oversees NASA space systems development and operations that support human exploration in and beyond low-Earth orbit. It also oversees low-level requirements development, policy, and programmatic oversight. The International Space Station represents the agency's exploration activities in low-Earth orbit. Beyond low-Earth orbit, exploration activities include the management of exploration systems development, human space flight capabilities, advanced exploration systems, and space life sciences research and applications. The Directorate also provides agency leadership and management of NASA space operations related to launch services and space communications and navigation in support of both human and robotic exploration programs.
http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/about.htmlScience Mission Directorate
The Science Mission Directorate explores Earth and space to advance Earth science, heliophysics, planetary science, and astrophysics. Using in situ and space-based observations, the Directorate seeks a better understanding of the Sun and its influence on the solar system, climate change, the solar system's origin and evolution, whether life is limited to Earth, and the universe beyond.
https://science.nasa.gov/about-usSpace Technology Mission Directorate
The Space Technology Mission Directorate develops crosscutting and pioneering technologies and capabilities that the agency needs to carry out current and future missions. Through transparent, collaborative partnerships, the Directorate rapidly develops and demonstrates high-payoff technologies. It uses a merit-based competition model with a portfolio approach, spanning a range of discipline areas and technology readiness levels.
http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/home/index.htmlMission Support Directorate
The Mission Support Directorate provides overall leadership, stewardship, advocacy, integration, and optimization of Agency institutional activities. These activities include management of human capital and strategic infrastructure, procurement, protective services, headquarters operations, shared services, partnerships, external audits, and management of Agency directives. To enable successful operations, the Directorate focuses on three major goals: to provide stewardship of major institutional operations; to integrate resources, infrastructure, and processes and to advocate for institutional capabilities and needs; and to optimize mission support services through strategic analysis and business services assessments to achieve greater operational efficiency.
http://msd.hq.nasa.govNASA Centers
Ames Research Center
Located in California's Silicon Valley, the Center enables exploration through selected developments, innovative technologies, and interdisciplinary scientific discovery. It provides leadership in astrobiology; small satellites; technologies for CEV, CLV, and HLV; the search for habitable planets; supercomputing; intelligent-adaptive systems; advanced thermal protection; and airborne astronomy. The Center also develops tools for a safer, more efficient national airspace, and it cultivates partnerships that benefit NASA's mission.
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/home/index.htmlArmstrong Flight Research Center
Located at Edwards Air Force Base, CA, the Center carries out flight research and technology integration, validates space exploration concepts, conducts airborne remote sensing and science missions, enables airborne astrophysics observation missions to study the universe, and supports International Space Station operations. It also supports activities of the Agency's four Mission Directorates.
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/home/index.htmlGlenn Research Center
Located on two campuses—at Lewis Field, next to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, and at Plum Brook Station in Sandusky, OH—the Center is associated with cutting edge technologies that will enable human exploration to Mars, the design of environmentally friendlier commercial hybrid electric aircraft, and the development of more advanced high-temperature materials. Its 3,200 scientists, engineers, and other specialized employees work in partnership with U.S. companies, universities, and other Government institutions to produce and improve new technologies that are useful on and above and beyond Earth. The Center's specialized staff focuses on air-breathing and in-space propulsion, power and energy storage, aerospace communications, extreme environment materials, biomedical technologies, and high-value space experiments in the physical sciences.
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/home/index.htmlGoddard Space Flight Center
Located in Greenbelt, MD, the Center expands mankind's knowledge of Earth and its environment, the solar system, and the universe by observing them from space. It also conducts scientific investigations, develops and operates space systems, and advances essential technologies.
https://www.nasa.gov/goddardJohnson Space Center
Located in Houston, TX, the Center specializes in human space flight. It hosts and staffs program and project offices; selects and trains astronauts; manages and conducts projects that build, test, and integrate human-rated systems for transportation, habitation, and working in space; and plans and operates human space flight missions. This work requires a comprehensive understanding of space and planetary environments, as well as research into the effects of those environments on human physiology. It also requires development of technology to sustain and preserve life; maintenance of a supply chain to design, manufacture, and test flight products; selection, training, and provision of medical care to those who fly space missions; and ongoing administrative mission support services. The Center is currently hosting the International Space Station Program, the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Program, and the Human Research Program. It plays a lead role in developing, operating, and integrating human exploration missions that include commercial, academic, international, and U.S. Government partners.
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/home/index.htmlKennedy Space Center
Located on Florida's east coast, the Center is responsible for space launch operations and spaceport and range technologies. Home to the launch services program, it manages the processing and launching of astronaut crews and associated payloads. Its management activities include the International Space Station segments, research experiments and supplies, and NASA’s scientific and research spacecraft. These scientific and research spacecraft range from robotic landers to Earth observation satellites and space-based telescopes on a variety of launch vehicles.
Innovative technology experts at the Center support NASA’s current programs and future exploration missions by developing new products and processes that benefit the Agency and consumers. The Center remains a leader in cutting-edge research and development in the areas of physics, chemistry, technology, prototype designing, engineering, environmental conservation, and renewable energy.
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/home/index.htmlLangley Research Center
Located in Hampton, VA, and established in 1917 as an aeronautics lab, the Center is renowned for its scientific and technological expertise in aerospace research, atmospheric science, systems analysis and integration, and planetary entry, descent and landing. Its researchers and engineers conduct research in structures and materials, applied sciences, space technology development, and aerosciences across the hyper, super, and subsonic flight regimes. Langley researchers and engineers have developed and validated technologies to improve the effectiveness, safety, environmental compatibility, and efficiency of the Nation's air transportation system. The Center supports space exploration and operations, and it plays a major role in expanding science-based knowledge of Earth and its environment. By determining appropriate preventative and corrective action for problems, trends, and issues across agency programs and projects, its engineering and safety personnel at the NASA Engineering Safety Center have improved mission safety and execution.
https://www.nasa.gov/langleyMarshall Space Flight Center
Located in Huntsville, AL, the Center oversees complex engineering, technology development, and scientific research for making human space exploration a reality. The Center is building the space launch system and developing advanced technologies that are necessary for the human journey to Mars. It also manages a number of programs and projects: the International Space Station's environmental control and life support system, its payload operations, and numerous other facilities and experiments; the Chandra X-ray Observatory; the Discovery and New Frontiers programs; space technology demonstration missions; and the Michoud Assembly Facility, where space vehicles are manufactured and assembled.
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/home/index.htmlStennis Space Center
Located near Bay St. Louis, MS, the Center serves as the agency's rocket propulsion testing ground. It provides test services not only for America's space program, but also for the Department of Defense and private sector. Its unique rocket propulsion test capabilities will be used for testing the engines and stages of NASA's space launch system rocket. The Advanced Technology and Technology Transfer Branch develops and licenses state-of-the-art components, processes, sensors, and software.
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/home/index.htmlJet Propulsion Laboratory
The Laboratory is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) managed under contract by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, CA. This FFRDC is a unique nongovernment entity sponsored and funded by the Agency to meet specific long-term technical needs that cannot be met by other organizations within the Agency. As part of this special relationship, the Laboratory must operate in the public interest with objectivity and independence, avoid organizational conflicts of interest, and fully disclose its affairs to NASA. The Laboratory develops and maintains technical and managerial competencies to perform the following missions in support of the Agency's strategic goals: to explore the solar system to understand its formation and evolution; to establish a continuous and permanent robotic presence on Mars to discover its history and habitability; to make critical measurements and models to understand the global and regional integrated Earth system; to conduct observations to search for neighboring solar systems and Earth-like planets and help understand formation, evolution, and composition of the Universe; to conduct communications and navigation for deep space missions; to provide support, particularly in robotic infrastructures and precursors, that enables human exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond; and, under Caltech's initiative, to collaborate with other Federal and State government agencies and commercial endeavors in areas synergistic with the Laboratory's work performed for NASA.
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/jpl/about/index.htmlSources of Information
A–Z Index
NASA maintains an online index of all topics to help visitors browse or search for specific information.
https://www.nasa.gov/topicsBusiness Opportunities
Information on business opportunities is available on NASA's Office of Procurement website. NASA also offers small businesses opportunities to participate in prime contracts and subcontracts. Contact the Office of Small Business Programs. Phone, 202-358-2088.
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/index.htmlCareer Opportunities
In addition to astronauts, the agency relies on accountants, engineers, human resources specialists, IT specialists, scientists, technicians, writers, and other skilled professionals to carry out its mission. To learn more about employment opportunities and programs, visit the NASAJobs website or contact the NASA Shared Services Center at the Stennis Space Center. Phone, 877-677-2123.
http://nasajobs.nasa.govIn 2016 and 2017, NASA ranked number 1 among 18 large Government agencies in the Best Places To Work Agency Rankings!
http://bestplacestowork.org/BPTW/rankings/detail/NN00Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
FOIA requests may be submitted by email or fax, delivered in person, or mailed to NASA Headquarters, 300 E Street SW., Room 5Q16, Washington, DC 20546. Phone, 202-358-2462. Fax, 202-358-4332.
https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/FOIA | Email: foia@hq.nasa.govGlossary
The Science Mission Directorate website has a glossary.
https://science.nasa.gov/glossaryHistory
The NASA History Office publishes a quarterly newsletter and books, hosts social media, offers fellowships, and runs the historical reference collection to assist the public with finding information on aeronautical and space history. Phone, 202-358-0384.
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/history/index.html | Email: hq-histinfo@nasa.govThe History Program Office maintains its own topical index.
https://history.nasa.gov/tindex.htmlLibrary
The NASA Headquarters Library welcomes visitors. Located in the East Lobby of NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, the library is open Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. It is closed on Federal holidays. Phone, 202-358-0168.
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/hqlibrary | Email: library@hq.nasa.govOpen Government
NASA supports the Open Government initiative by promoting collaboration, participation, and transparency.
https://www.nasa.gov/openOrganizational Chart
NASA posts its organizational chart in Portable Document Format (PDF) for viewing and downloading.
https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/organizationchart_nov2015.pdfOther Space Agencies
A web page of links provides convenient access to selected U.S. agencies that support aeronautics or space research and to selected international space agencies.
https://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/AN_Structure_OtherAgencies.htmlOversight
The Office of the Inspector General from NASA posts reports and data on Oversight.gov, a text-searchable repository of reports that Federal Inspectors General publish. The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency operates and maintains the website to increase public access to independent and authoritative information on the Federal Government.
https://oversight.govPicture of the Day
Discover something new about the universe each day by visiting NASA's "Astronomy Picture of the Day" web page. A professional astronomer provides a brief explanation for each daily image or photograph. A picture of the day archives is also accessible from the same page.
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.htmlPlain Writing
The Plain Language Act of 2010 requires Federal agencies to communicate clearly. NASA editors and writers aim to use plain language in any document that is necessary for obtaining agency benefits or services, that provides information on agency benefits or services, or that explains how to comply with a requirement that the agency administers or enforces.
https://www.nasa.gov/open/plainlanguage.htmlPublications
The NASA scientific and technical information program provides access to research papers.
https://www.sti.nasa.gov | Email: nasa-dl-sti-id@mail.nasa.govA "Find Publications" drop-down menu is available on the library web page. Additional publications are available onsite at the NASA Headquarters Library.
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/hqlibraryScience Missions
The mission key groups missions according to universe, solar system, Sun, and Earth.
https://science.nasa.gov/missions-pageNASA posts mission posters on its website for downloading. Posters are grouped in one of four categories: astrophysics, solar system, Sun, and Earth.
https://science.nasa.gov/toolkits/nasa-science-mission-postersSocial Media
NASA maintains a presence on popular social media websites. The "Social Media at NASA" page provides easy access to the agency's social media accounts.
https://www.nasa.gov/socialmediaFor further information, contact the Headquarters Information Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC 20546. Phone, 202-358-0000.