NASA Merges Mission Directorates

NASA formally announced the long expected merger of two of its mission directorates as the agency transitions to the post-shuttle era.

The merger creates the new Human Exploration and Operations (HEO) Mission Directorate from the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) and Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD). ESMD was created to execute President George W. Bush’s “Vision for Space Exploration” for human exploration of space beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). SOMD was in charge of construction and operations of the International Space Station (ISS) in LEO, transportation to and from LEO, including the space shuttle, as well as other activities such as NASA’s space communications.

Now that the shuttle has flown its final flight and NASA is focusing on ISS operations and whatever comes next in the human spaceflight program, the reorganization comes as no surprise. NASA officials have made clear for many months that it was in the works. SOMD Associate Administrator Bill Gerstenmaier will head the new HEO Mission Directorate. ESMD Associate Administrator Doug Cooke announced his planned retirement several months ago.