Organization and Leadership

The Science Mission Directorate (SMD) engages the Nation’s science community, sponsors scientific research, and develops and deploys satellites and probes in collaboration with NASA’s partners around the world to answer fundamental questions requiring the view from and into space. SMD seeks to understand the origins, evolution, and destiny of the universe and to understand the nature of the strange phenomena that shape it.

SMD Organization Chart Draft SMD Organization Chart. Associate Administrator (AA), Ed Weiler.
Deputy AA, Chuck Gay. Deputy AA for Programs, Mike Luther. Deputy AA for Management, Roy 

Maizel. Chief Scientist, Paul Hertz. Lead for Research, Max Bernstein (co-located from the 

Planetary Science Division). Lead for E/PO, Stephanie Stockman (co-located from the Earth 

Science Division). Assistant AA (AAA) for Strategy, Policy & International, Marc Allen. Senior 

Advisor, Colleen Hartman. Chief Engineer, K. Ledbetter. Safety & Mission Assurance, P. Martin. 

Astrophysics Division Director, J. Morse. Astrophysics Division Deputy, R. Howard. Earth 

Science Division Director, M. Freilich. Earth Science Division Deputy, M. Luce, acting. Earth 

Science Division Flight, S. Volz. Earth Science Division Applied Science, T. Fryberger. Earth 

Science Division Research, J. Kaye. Heliophysics Division Director, R. Fisher. Heliophysics 

Division Deputy, V. Elsbernd. Planetary Science Division Director, J. Green. Planetary Science 

Division Deputy, J. Adams. Planetary Science Division Mars Program, D. McCuistion. Resource 

Management Division Director, C. Tupper, acting. Resource Management Division Deputy, vacant. 

Strategic Integration & Management Division Director, D. Woods, acting. Strategic Integration & 

Management Division Deputy, vacant. The Chief Engineer and Safety & Mission Assurance report to 

other organizations, but support SMD.Printable Version

SMD Organization Chart