- NASA Home
- | Centers
- | Marshall Home
- | Missions
Search Marshall
About Marshall Missions
- Moon and Mars missions
- Science missions
- Space Shuttle and the International Space Station
The U.S. Space Exploration Policy calls for NASA to maintain a balanced portfolio of science, aeronautics, and exploration; continue to fly the space shuttle fleet safely; complete the International Space Station; and return humans to the moon, laying the groundwork for exploration missions to Mars and beyond. Marshall Space Flight Center plays a vital role in these efforts, developing safe, affordable technologies to explore the solar system and return benefits to the people of Earth.
Below you will find links to the missions that Marshall Space Flight Center supports. Take time to browse the various sections of the Marshall site to learn more about the key roles the center plays in these missions:
Altair Lunar Lander
Part of the Constellation Program, Altair is the lunar lander that will put humans on the moon. Marshall leads propulsion and avionics subsystem work and provides subsystem support for thermal, life support, and structures, as well as supporting overall project integration. Marshall also will lead the lunar lander descent stage propulsion work.
Ares I & Ares V Rockets
Marshall is developing NASA's Ares rockets which will return humans to the moon and provide transportation for future missions to Mars and other destinations.
CAMEX
The Convection And Moisture EXperiment (CAMEX) is a series of field research investigations providing data to improve hurricane predictions by combining inputs from various ground, air and satellite-based systems. Researchers at Marshall’s Global Hydrology and Climate Center study numerous storm aspects such as storm structure, lightening, precipitation, landfalling and the influence of hurricanes on global weather change.
Chandra X-ray Observatory
Marshall developed and manages NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, which probes the mysteries of space with unprecedented X-ray images that help to reveal the structure and evolution of the universe.
Discovery
Marshall manages this program of focused scientific investigations that complement NASA's larger planetary exploration missions. Active Discovery missions are GRAIL, MESSENGER, Stardust, Deep Impact, ASPERA-3, Dawn, Kepler and Moon Mineralogy Mapper.
GLAST Burst Monitor
Sensitive to X-rays and gamma rays in the low-energy range, the GLAST Burst Monitor (GBM) is a complementary instrument for the Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) dedicated to NASA’s study of high-energy gamma rays. Development of the GBM was a collaboration between Marshall and the Germany-based Max Plank Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics.
Gravity Probe B
Marshall manages this experiment developed by NASA and Stanford University, which uses gyroscopes in a satellite orbiting the Earth to test two unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.
Hinode
A collaboration among the space agencies of Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, Hinode's mission is to investigate the interaction between the sun's magnetic field and its corona. Marshall managed the development of the scientific instrumentation provided for the mission by NASA, other Federal agencies and industry and currently manages science operations.
HIRAD
The Hurricane Imaging Radiometer produces imagery of ocean wind conditions from above a hurricane during the heaviest rain and wind conditions by measuring microwave radiation emitted by the foamy froth whipped up as strong wind swirls across ocean waves. Marshall is developing HIRAD through a partnership with three universities and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Hubble Space Telescope
The Hubble Space Telescope, developed by Marshall and launched in 1990, was the first major optical telescope to be placed in space. From its vantage point above the distortion of the Earth’s atmosphere, it returns information enabling scientists to expand our knowledge of the cosmos.
International Space Station
Aboard the International Space Station, astronauts work to improve life on Earth and extend life beyond our home planet. Marshall supports hardware development, oxygen generation, water recovery systems, workspace nodes, and science operations for the space station.
James Webb Space Telescope
Scheduled for launch in 2013, the James Webb Space Telescope will find the first galaxies that formed in the early universe and will peer through dusty clouds to see stars forming planetary systems. Marshall conducts mirror testing for the telescope.
Lunar Precursor Robotic Program
Marshall is leading this program to develop automated lunar missions to expand our knowledge about the moon and lay the groundwork for crewed exploration and settlement of the lunar surface. Marshall manages the Lunar Crater Observations and Sensing Satellite and the Lunar Robotics Orbiter missions which are scheduled for launch in late 2008.
Lunar Science Program
NASA's new Lunar Science Program is a multi-element program consisting of a series of robotic lunar orbiters and landers that will provide scientific insight into the moon’s atmosphere, moonquakes and other geophysical phenomena at several surface sites. Marshall has program management responsibility for the Lunar Science Program providing overall mission management oversight.
New Frontiers
Marshall manages this program which seeks to conduct frequent, medium-class spacecraft missions to explore our solar system. It includes New Horizons, which studied Jupiter and is headed to Pluto, and Juno, which will conduct an in-depth study of Jupiter.
SERVIR
SERVIR is a regional visualization and monitoring system that integrates satellite and other geospatial data for improved decision making in disasters, ecosystems, biodiversity, weather, water, climate, oceans, health, agriculture, and energy. Marshall manages a test bed and rapid prototyping SERVIR facility and provides data analysis and forecasting support products used for disaster and environmental preparedness in Mesoamerica.
Space Shuttle
The space shuttle is the most complex machine ever built and its unique capability is instrumental in building the International Space Station. Marshall manages the external tank, main engines and solid rocket boosters.
SpoRT
The Short-term Prediction Research and Transition provides real-time data and products to the National Weather Service to help improve forecasting and save lives. The SpoRT Center is managed by Marshall scientists and is executed in concert with other government, university, and private sector partners.
Below you will find links to the missions that Marshall Space Flight Center supports. Take time to browse the various sections of the Marshall site to learn more about the key roles the center plays in these missions:
Altair Lunar Lander Part of the Constellation Program, Altair is the lunar lander that will put humans on the moon. Marshall leads propulsion and avionics subsystem work and provides subsystem support for thermal, life support, and structures, as well as supporting overall project integration. Marshall also will lead the lunar lander descent stage propulsion work.
Ares I & Ares V Rockets Marshall is developing NASA's Ares rockets which will return humans to the moon and provide transportation for future missions to Mars and other destinations.
CAMEX The Convection And Moisture EXperiment (CAMEX) is a series of field research investigations providing data to improve hurricane predictions by combining inputs from various ground, air and satellite-based systems. Researchers at Marshall’s Global Hydrology and Climate Center study numerous storm aspects such as storm structure, lightening, precipitation, landfalling and the influence of hurricanes on global weather change.
Chandra X-ray Observatory Marshall developed and manages NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, which probes the mysteries of space with unprecedented X-ray images that help to reveal the structure and evolution of the universe.
Discovery Marshall manages this program of focused scientific investigations that complement NASA's larger planetary exploration missions. Active Discovery missions are GRAIL, MESSENGER, Stardust, Deep Impact, ASPERA-3, Dawn, Kepler and Moon Mineralogy Mapper.
GLAST Burst Monitor Sensitive to X-rays and gamma rays in the low-energy range, the GLAST Burst Monitor (GBM) is a complementary instrument for the Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) dedicated to NASA’s study of high-energy gamma rays. Development of the GBM was a collaboration between Marshall and the Germany-based Max Plank Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics.
Gravity Probe B Marshall manages this experiment developed by NASA and Stanford University, which uses gyroscopes in a satellite orbiting the Earth to test two unverified predictions of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity.
Hinode A collaboration among the space agencies of Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, Hinode's mission is to investigate the interaction between the sun's magnetic field and its corona. Marshall managed the development of the scientific instrumentation provided for the mission by NASA, other Federal agencies and industry and currently manages science operations.
HIRAD The Hurricane Imaging Radiometer produces imagery of ocean wind conditions from above a hurricane during the heaviest rain and wind conditions by measuring microwave radiation emitted by the foamy froth whipped up as strong wind swirls across ocean waves. Marshall is developing HIRAD through a partnership with three universities and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Hubble Space Telescope The Hubble Space Telescope, developed by Marshall and launched in 1990, was the first major optical telescope to be placed in space. From its vantage point above the distortion of the Earth’s atmosphere, it returns information enabling scientists to expand our knowledge of the cosmos.
International Space Station Aboard the International Space Station, astronauts work to improve life on Earth and extend life beyond our home planet. Marshall supports hardware development, oxygen generation, water recovery systems, workspace nodes, and science operations for the space station.
James Webb Space Telescope Scheduled for launch in 2013, the James Webb Space Telescope will find the first galaxies that formed in the early universe and will peer through dusty clouds to see stars forming planetary systems. Marshall conducts mirror testing for the telescope.
Lunar Precursor Robotic Program Marshall is leading this program to develop automated lunar missions to expand our knowledge about the moon and lay the groundwork for crewed exploration and settlement of the lunar surface. Marshall manages the Lunar Crater Observations and Sensing Satellite and the Lunar Robotics Orbiter missions which are scheduled for launch in late 2008.
Lunar Science Program NASA's new Lunar Science Program is a multi-element program consisting of a series of robotic lunar orbiters and landers that will provide scientific insight into the moon’s atmosphere, moonquakes and other geophysical phenomena at several surface sites. Marshall has program management responsibility for the Lunar Science Program providing overall mission management oversight.
New Frontiers Marshall manages this program which seeks to conduct frequent, medium-class spacecraft missions to explore our solar system. It includes New Horizons, which studied Jupiter and is headed to Pluto, and Juno, which will conduct an in-depth study of Jupiter.
SERVIR SERVIR is a regional visualization and monitoring system that integrates satellite and other geospatial data for improved decision making in disasters, ecosystems, biodiversity, weather, water, climate, oceans, health, agriculture, and energy. Marshall manages a test bed and rapid prototyping SERVIR facility and provides data analysis and forecasting support products used for disaster and environmental preparedness in Mesoamerica.
Space Shuttle The space shuttle is the most complex machine ever built and its unique capability is instrumental in building the International Space Station. Marshall manages the external tank, main engines and solid rocket boosters.
SpoRT The Short-term Prediction Research and Transition provides real-time data and products to the National Weather Service to help improve forecasting and save lives. The SpoRT Center is managed by Marshall scientists and is executed in concert with other government, university, and private sector partners.