Division Directors
The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) organizes its work into four broad scientific pursuits: Earth Science, Planetary Science, Heliophysics and Astrophysics. Each of these pursuits is managed by a Division within the Directorate, each having it's own science sub-goals.
- Earth Science: Study planet Earth from space to advance scientific understanding and meet societal needs
- Planetary Science: Advance scientific knowledge of the origin and history of the solar system, the potential for life elsewhere, and the hazards and resources present as humans explore space
- Heliophysics: Understand the Sun and its effects on Earth and the solar system
- Astrophysics: Discover the origin, structure, evolution, and destiny of the universe, and search for Earth-like planets
- Management & Policy: Formulate, advocate, and implement the SMD budget, provide policy support, and conduct business operations for the Directorate.
Fundamental research on profound science questions using space-based observatories and related assets is the hallmark of all four areas of NASA's SMD. Astrophysics pursues answers to questions about the universe that are as old as humanity. Heliophysics and Planetary Science both include elements important to the success of NASA"s human exploration endeavors, and the former has practical utility on Earth. Earth Science is inherently beneficial to society in practical ways and requires that means be created to transfer its results for use in decision support and policy making. Research in all four science areas is essential to the fulfillment of national priorities embodied in Presidential initiatives and Congressional legislation, and scientific priorities identified by the Nations' scientific community. The SMD Division Directors play a significant role in support of NASA Scientists both at Headquarters and at NASA centers, universities, institutes and partner agencies the world over.
- Dr. Richard Fisher, Heliophysics Division Director
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Dr. Fisher graduated with honors, Phi Beta Kappa, in Mathematics from Grinnell College in 1961. After receiving his Ph.D. degree in Astrogeophysics from the University of Colorado in 1965. Dr. Fisher has overall responsibility for developing policy and providing guidance for NASA's program of the investigation of the variable Sun, its effect on planets of the solar system (including the Earth) and the structure and evolution of interplanetary space.
- Dr. Michael Freilich, Earth Science Division Director
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Michael H. Freilich received BS degrees in Physics (Honors) and Chemistry from Haverford College in 1975 and a Ph.D. in Oceanography from Scripps Institution of Oceanography (Univ. of CA., San Diego) in 1982. Dr. Freilich is now the Director of the Earth Science Division.
- Dr. Jim Green, Planetary Science Division Director
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Dr. Green received his Ph.D. in Space Physics from the University of Iowa in 1979 and began working in the Magnetospheric Physics Branch at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in 1980. In August 2006, Dr. Green became the Director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters.
- Dr. Jon Morse, Astrophysics Division Director
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Dr. Morse received his Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the University of North Carolina in 1992, after which he joined the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, MD, as a postdoctoral fellow. In April 2007, Dr. Morse became the Director of the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters.