William Gerstenmaier, NASA Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, speaks during an Exploration Forum showcasing NASA's human exploration path to Mars in the James E. Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters on Tuesday, April 29, 2014. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson speaks during a NASA town hall to discuss the reorganization of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate into two mission directorates: Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) and Space Operations Mission Directorate (SpaceOps), Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. Panelists were from left to right, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy; NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana; NASA Associate Administrator for the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD), Jim Free; and NASA Associate Administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate (SpaceOps), Kathy Lueders. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Office of Communications Bettina Inclán moderates a NASA town hall event with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Douglas Loverro, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy speaks alongside NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, left, and NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana, right, during a NASA town hall to discuss the reorganization of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate into two mission directorates: Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) and Space Operations Mission Directorate (SpaceOps), Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. NASA Associate Administrator for SpaceOps, Kathy Lueders, will lead launch and space operations including the International Space Station, the commercialization of low-Earth orbit, and eventually operations on and around the Moon. NASA Associate Administrator for the ESDMD, Jim Free, will lead efforts to define and manage systems development for programs critical to NASA’s Artemis program and the planning of NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Panelists are seen from left to right, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson; NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy; NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana; NASA Associate Administrator for the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD), Jim Free; and NASA Associate Administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate (SpaceOps), Kathy Lueders, during a NASA town hall to discuss the reorganization of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate into two mission directorates: ESDMD and SpaceOps, Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. Kathy Lueders will lead SpaceOps in launch and space operations including the International Space Station, the commercialization of low-Earth orbit, and eventually operations on and around the Moon. Jim Free will lead ESDMD to define and manage systems development for programs critical to NASA’s Artemis program and in the planning of NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Douglas Loverro is seen during a NASA town hall event, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Douglas Loverro is seen during a NASA town hall event, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Douglas Loverro is seen during a NASA town hall event, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Douglas Loverro is seen during a NASA town hall event, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

William Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator Human Exploration and Operations, speaks at a NASA Social on Science on the International Space Station at NASA Headquarters, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier, Portrait, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

William Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator Human Exploration and Operations, speaks at a NASA Social on Science on the International Space Station at NASA Headquarters, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

A student asks Nick Hague and Christina Koch, two astronauts currently living and working on the International Space Station, a question during a panel discussion with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, moderated the panel discussion. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

A student asks a questions during a panel discussion with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson moderated the discussion. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Nick Hague and Christina Koch, two astronauts currently living and working on the International Space Station, are seen on the screen during a live uplink and panel discussion with moderator NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke, at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson speaks with college students after the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. She moderated a panel discussion with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine speaks with college students after the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson moderated a panel discussion with Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Associate Administrator, Human Exploration and Operations William Gerstenmaier, left, NASA Associate Administrator for Legislative Affairs Suzanne Gillen, center, and NASA Special Assistant to the Administrator Mark Sirangelo, confer prior to the start of the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics hearing titled "Keeping our sights on Mars: A Review of NASA's Deep Space Exploration Programs and Lunar Proposal", Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Douglas Loverro, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, and Marshall Center Director Jody Singer participate in a Town Hall with Marshall Space Flight Center employees

Douglas Loverro, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, and Marshall Center Director Jody Singer participate in a Town Hall with Marshall Space Flight Center employees

Douglas Loverro, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, and Marshall Center Director Jody Singer participate in a Town Hall with Marshall Space Flight Center employees

Douglas Loverro, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, and Marshall Center Director Jody Singer participate in a Town Hall with Marshall Space Flight Center employees

Douglas Loverro, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, and Marshall Center Director Jody Singer participate in a Town Hall with Marshall Space Flight Center employees

Douglas Loverro, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, and Marshall Center Director Jody Singer participate in a Town Hall with Marshall Space Flight Center employees

Douglas Loverro, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, and Marshall Center Director Jody Singer participate in a Town Hall with Marshall Space Flight Center employees

Douglas Loverro, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, and Marshall Center Director Jody Singer participate in a Town Hall with Marshall Space Flight Center employees

NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana speaks on a panel during a NASA town hall to discuss the reorganization of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate into two mission directorates: Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) and Space Operations Mission Directorate (SpaceOps), Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. Panelists were, from left to right, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson; NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy; Cabana; NASA Associate Administrator for the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD), Jim Free; and NASA Associate Administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate (SpaceOps), Kathy Lueders. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Associate Administrator Robert Lightfoot, left, talks as NASA Associate Administrator Science John Grunsfeld, Ph.D, second from left, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Technology, Mike Gazarik, Ph.D, and, NASA Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, William Gerstenmaier, right, look on during the Asteroid Initiative Industry and Partner Day at NASA Headquarters on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 in Washington. During the event NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver and other senior NASA officials discussed the progress being made on NASA's mission to capture, redirect, and explore an asteroid. NASA also announced an Asteroid Grand Challenge focused on finding all asteroid threats to human populations and knowing what to do about them. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, William Gerstenmaier, right, talks as NASA Associate Administrator Robert Lightfoot, left, NASA Associate Administrator Science John Grunsfeld, Ph.D, second from left, and NASA Associate Administrator for Space Technology, Mike Gazarik, Ph.D, look on during the Asteroid Initiative Industry and Partner Day at NASA Headquarters on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 in Washington. During the event NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver and other senior NASA officials discussed the progress being made on NASA's mission to capture, redirect, and explore an asteroid. NASA also announced an Asteroid Grand Challenge focused on finding all asteroid threats to human populations and knowing what to do about them. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Associate Administrator for Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate Bob Pearce, left, NASA Associate Administrator for Science Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations Kathy Lueders, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, NASA Associate Administrator for the Space Technology Mission Directorate Jim Reuter, and NASA Associate Administrator for the Mission Support Directorate Bob Gibbs, right, participate in a media gaggle, Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at NASA Headquarters Mary W. Jackson Building in Washington. Nelson, and other NASA leadership, answered reporters questions following a State of NASA event where Nelson remarked on his long history with NASA, and among other topics, discussed the agency’s plans for future Earth-focused missions to address climate change and a robotic and human return to the Moon through the Artemis program, as well as announcing two new planetary science missions to Venus – VERITAS and DAVINCI+. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, left, and NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Douglas Loverro, right, are seen during a NASA town hall event, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Douglas Loverro are seen on a monitor as they answer a question during a NASA town hall event, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, right, looks on as NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Douglas Loverro answers a question during a NASA town hall event, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Douglas Loverro, left, and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine are seen during a NASA town hall event, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, left, and NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Douglas Loverro, right, are seen during a NASA town hall event, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, center left, Deputy Administrator Jim Morhard, Ken Bowersox, acting Associate Administrator for NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Thomas Zurbuchen, Associate Administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, meet with Pascale Ehrenfreund, Chair of the Executive Board of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and other members of the executive board at the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Jeff Foust, senior staff writer at SpaceNews, left, moderates a discussion with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Douglas Loverro at the 3rd Annual SpaceNews Awards, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, at Hogan Lovells in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine is seen during a discussion moderated by Jeff Foust, senior staff writer at SpaceNews, with NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Douglas Loverro at the 3rd Annual SpaceNews Awards, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, at Hogan Lovells in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Jeff Foust, senior staff writer at SpaceNews, moderates a discussion with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Douglas Loverro at the 3rd Annual SpaceNews Awards, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, at Hogan Lovells in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana speaks during a NASA town hall to discuss the reorganization of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate into two mission directorates: Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) and Space Operations Mission Directorate (SpaceOps), Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. NASA Associate Administrator for SpaceOps, Kathy Lueders, will lead launch and space operations including the International Space Station, the commercialization of low-Earth orbit, and eventually operations on and around the Moon. NASA Associate Administrator for the ESDMD, Jim Free, will lead efforts to define and manage systems development for programs critical to NASA’s Artemis program and the planning of NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana speaks during a NASA town hall to discuss the reorganization of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate into two mission directorates: Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) and Space Operations Mission Directorate (SpaceOps), Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. NASA Associate Administrator for SpaceOps, Kathy Lueders, will lead launch and space operations including the International Space Station, the commercialization of low-Earth orbit, and eventually operations on and around the Moon. NASA Associate Administrator for the ESDMD, Jim Free, will lead efforts to define and manage systems development for programs critical to NASA’s Artemis program and the planning of NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana speaks during a NASA town hall to discuss the reorganization of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate into two mission directorates: Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) and Space Operations Mission Directorate (SpaceOps), Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. NASA Associate Administrator for SpaceOps, Kathy Lueders, will lead launch and space operations including the International Space Station, the commercialization of low-Earth orbit, and eventually operations on and around the Moon. NASA Associate Administrator for the ESDMD, Jim Free, will lead efforts to define and manage systems development for programs critical to NASA’s Artemis program and the planning of NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD), Jim Free, speaks alongside NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana, left, and NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Mission Directorate (SpaceOps), Kathy Lueders, right, during a NASA town hall to discuss the reorganization of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate into two mission directorates: ESDMD and SpaceOps, Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. Lueders will lead launch and space operations including the International Space Station, the commercialization of low-Earth orbit, and eventually operations on and around the Moon. Free will lead efforts to define and manage systems development for programs critical to NASA’s Artemis program and the planning of NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA holds a prelaunch media briefing on the agency’s Moon to Mars exploration plans on Aug. 27, 2022, at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, as the clock counts down to the launch of Artemis I scheduled for Aug. 29, at 8:33 a.m. EDT from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39B. From left, are Jackie McGuinness, NASA press secretary; Bill Nelson, NASA administrator; Bhavya Lal, NASA associate administrator for technology, policy and strategy; Jim Free, NASA associate administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate; Kathy Lueders, NASA associate administrator, Space Operations Mission Directorate; Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate; Prasun Desai, NASA deputy associate administrator, Space Technology Mission Directorate; and Randy Bresnik, NASA astronaut. The first in a series of increasingly complex missions, Artemis I will provide a foundation for human deep space exploration and demonstrate our commitment and capability to extend human presence to the Moon and beyond. The primary goal of Artemis I is to thoroughly test the integrated systems before crewed missions by operating the spacecraft in a deep space environment, testing Orion’s heat shield, and recovering the crew module after reentry, descent, and splashdown.

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier testifies during a House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology hearing titled "America's Human Presence in Low-Earth Orbit" on Thursday, May 17, 2018 in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier testifies during a House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology hearing titled "America's Human Presence in Low-Earth Orbit" on Thursday, May 17, 2018 in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier is seen prior to the start of a House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Hearing titles "America's Human Presence in Low-Earth Orbit" on Thursday, May 17, 2018 in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier testifies during a House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology hearing titled "America's Human Presence in Low-Earth Orbit" on Thursday, May 17, 2018 in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier testifies during a House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology hearing titled "America's Human Presence in Low-Earth Orbit" on Thursday, May 17, 2018 in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier testifies during a House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology hearing titled "America's Human Presence in Low-Earth Orbit" on Thursday, May 17, 2018 in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Jody Singer, Director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, left, Ken Bowersox, acting Associate Administrator for NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, center, and Steve Clarke, Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, right, discuss the agency’s Artemis program during an interactive STEM discussion with students attending the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Steve Clarke, Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, right, is seen with Ken Bowersox, acting Associate Administrator for NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, center, and Jody Singer, Director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, left, during an interactive STEM discussion with students attending the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate and Marshall Center Director Jody Singer participate in the hanging of a new International Space Station flag out side of the Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC). Also participating were employees of the support center and the Payload Operations Integration Center.

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate and Marshall Center Director Jody Singer participate in the hanging of a new International Space Station flag out side of the Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC). Also participating were employees of the support center and the Payload Operations Integration Center.

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate and Marshall Center Director Jody Singer participate in the hanging of a new International Space Station flag out side of the Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC). Also participating were employees of the support center and the Payload Operations Integration Center.

NASA Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate Thomas Zurbuchen, right, asks a question during a NASA town hall event with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Douglas Loverro, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Ken Bowersox, acting Associate Administrator for NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, speaks about NASA’s Moon to Mars Exploration Plans during a keynote at the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

William Gerstenmaier, NASA Associate Administrator for human exploration and operations, participates in a panel discussion on deep space exploration using the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft at the Newseum in Washington on Tuesday, November 12, 2013. Photo Credit: (NASA/Jay Westcott)

William Gerstenmaier, NASA Associate Administrator for human exploration and operations, participates in a panel discussion on deep space exploration using the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft at the Newseum in Washington on Tuesday, November 12, 2013. Photo Credit: (NASA/Jay Westcott)

Miles O'Brien, science correspondant for PBS NewsHour, left, leads a panel discussion on Mars exploration with William Gerstenmaier, NASA Associatate Administrator for Human Explorations and Operations, center, and Michael Gazarik, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Technology, left, at the Humans to Mars Summit on April 22, 2014 at George Washington University in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, left, NASA Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations William Gerstenmaier, second from left, acting Associate Administrator for NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, second from right, acting Associate Administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate Thomas Zurbuchen, right, are seen during a NASA town hall on the amendment to the fiscal year 2020 budget request that supports the agency’s plan to land astronauts on the Moon by 2024, Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, left, NASA Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations William Gerstenmaier, second from left, acting Associate Administrator for NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, second from right, acting Associate Administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate Thomas Zurbuchen, right, are seen during a NASA town hall on the amendment to the fiscal year 2020 budget request that supports the agency’s plan to land astronauts on the Moon by 2024, Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, left, NASA Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations William Gerstenmaier, second from left, acting Associate Administrator for NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, second from right, acting Associate Administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate Thomas Zurbuchen, right, are seen during a NASA town hall on the amendment to the fiscal year 2020 budget request that supports the agency’s plan to land astronauts on the Moon by 2024, Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, left, NASA Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations William Gerstenmaier, second from left, acting Associate Administrator for NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, second from right, acting Associate Administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate Thomas Zurbuchen, right, are seen during a NASA town hall on the amendment to the fiscal year 2020 budget request that supports the agency’s plan to land astronauts on the Moon by 2024, Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, left, NASA Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations William Gerstenmaier, second from left, acting Associate Administrator for NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, second from right, acting Associate Administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate Thomas Zurbuchen, right, are seen as they answer questions during a NASA town hall on the amendment to the fiscal year 2020 budget request that supports the agency’s plan to land astronauts on the Moon by 2024, Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

William Gerstenmaier is guest speaker for luncheon on first day of Wernher von Braun Memorial Symposium. William Gerstenmaier, associate administrator, Human Exploration and Operations at NASA Headquarters, shared an overview of NASA programs that are in the scope of human space exploration during his remarks. He discussed the vast landscape of NASA’s human space exploration missions and showed his love for the practical side of NASA’s work. "I’m always excited to see real hardware and speak with real engineers. That’s why I’m always glad to visit Marshall."

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson speaks during a NASA town hall to discuss the reorganization of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate into two mission directorates: Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) and Space Operations Mission Directorate (SpaceOps), Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. NASA Associate Administrator for SpaceOps, Kathy Lueders, will lead launch and space operations including the International Space Station, the commercialization of low-Earth orbit, and eventually operations on and around the Moon. NASA Associate Administrator for the ESDMD, Jim Free, will lead efforts to define and manage systems development for programs critical to NASA’s Artemis program and the planning of NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy speaks during a NASA town hall to discuss the reorganization of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate into two mission directorates: Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) and Space Operations Mission Directorate (SpaceOps), Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. NASA Associate Administrator for SpaceOps, Kathy Lueders, will lead launch and space operations including the International Space Station, the commercialization of low-Earth orbit, and eventually operations on and around the Moon. NASA Associate Administrator for the ESDMD, Jim Free, will lead efforts to define and manage systems development for programs critical to NASA’s Artemis program and the planning of NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson speaks during a NASA town hall to discuss the reorganization of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate into two mission directorates: Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) and Space Operations Mission Directorate (SpaceOps), Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. NASA Associate Administrator for SpaceOps, Kathy Lueders, will lead launch and space operations including the International Space Station, the commercialization of low-Earth orbit, and eventually operations on and around the Moon. NASA Associate Administrator for the ESDMD, Jim Free, will lead efforts to define and manage systems development for programs critical to NASA’s Artemis program and the planning of NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy speaks during a NASA town hall to discuss the reorganization of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate into two mission directorates: Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) and Space Operations Mission Directorate (SpaceOps), Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. NASA Associate Administrator for SpaceOps, Kathy Lueders, will lead launch and space operations including the International Space Station, the commercialization of low-Earth orbit, and eventually operations on and around the Moon. NASA Associate Administrator for the ESDMD, Jim Free, will lead efforts to define and manage systems development for programs critical to NASA’s Artemis program and the planning of NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson speaks during a NASA town hall to discuss the reorganization of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate into two mission directorates: Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) and Space Operations Mission Directorate (SpaceOps), Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. NASA Associate Administrator for SpaceOps, Kathy Lueders, will lead launch and space operations including the International Space Station, the commercialization of low-Earth orbit, and eventually operations on and around the Moon. NASA Associate Administrator for the ESDMD, Jim Free, will lead efforts to define and manage systems development for programs critical to NASA’s Artemis program and the planning of NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson speaks during a NASA town hall to discuss the reorganization of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate into two mission directorates: Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) and Space Operations Mission Directorate (SpaceOps), Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. NASA Associate Administrator for SpaceOps, Kathy Lueders, will lead launch and space operations including the International Space Station, the commercialization of low-Earth orbit, and eventually operations on and around the Moon. NASA Associate Administrator for the ESDMD, Jim Free, will lead efforts to define and manage systems development for programs critical to NASA’s Artemis program and the planning of NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson is seen through a video camera before a NASA town hall to discuss the reorganization of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate into two mission directorates: Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) and Space Operations Mission Directorate (SpaceOps), Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. NASA Associate Administrator for SpaceOps, Kathy Lueders, will lead launch and space operations including the International Space Station, the commercialization of low-Earth orbit, and eventually operations on and around the Moon. NASA Associate Administrator for the ESDMD, Jim Free, will lead efforts to define and manage systems development for programs critical to NASA’s Artemis program and the planning of NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Official portrait of William H. Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. As associate administrator, Gerstenmaier directs NASA’s human exploration of space. He also has programmatic oversight for International Space Station, Space Shuttle, Space Communications and Space Launch Vehicles. (NASA Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Doug Loverro gives remarks on the agency’s Artemis program, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. Through Artemis NASA will land the first woman and next man on the Moon by 2024. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations William Gerstenmaier is seen during a NASA town hall on the amendment to the fiscal year 2020 budget request that supports the agency’s plan to land astronauts on the Moon by 2024, Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

A video profile of a NASA employee is seen as NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, moderates a panel discussion with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The students were able to ask the panelists questions as well as speak with two astronauts currently on the International Space Station, Nick Hague and Christina Koch. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA leaders spoke to social media participants as the Orion spacecraft and its Delta IV Heavy rocket were being prepared for launch. Speakers included, from the left, NASA Associate Administrator Human Exploration and Operations Bill Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator for the agency's Science Mission Directorate John Grunsfeld, Associate Administrator for the Space Technology Directorate Michael Gazaria, NASA Chief Scientist Ellen Stofan, and Chief Technologist David Miller. Moderator for the panel session was John Yembrick, with the microphone on the far right, who is NASA's social media lead at the agency's Headquarters in Washington.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, left, speaks at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, where college students were able to ask panelists, Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, center, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke, right, questions as well as speak with two astronauts currently on the International Space Station, Nick Hague and Christina Koch. NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson moderated the panel discussion. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, left, moderates a panel discussion with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, where college students were able to ask the panelists questions as well as speak with two astronauts currently on the International Space Station, Nick Hague and Christina Koch. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, moderates a panel discussion with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, where college students were able to ask the panelists questions as well as speak with two astronauts currently on the International Space Station, Nick Hague and Christina Koch. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Nick Hague, left, and Christina Koch, two astronauts currently living and working on the International Space Station, are seen on the screen during a live uplink and panel discussion with, from left to right, moderator NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke, at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine poses for a photo with college students after the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, where they were able to ask panelists, Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke, questions as well as speak with two astronauts currently on the International Space Station, Nick Hague and Christina Koch. NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson moderated the panel discussion. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, second from left, speaks at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, where college students were able to ask panelists, Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, second from right, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke, right, questions as well as speak with two astronauts currently on the International Space Station, Nick Hague and Christina Koch. NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, left, moderated the panel discussion. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier speaks at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, where college students were able to ask panelists, Gerstenmaier, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke questions as well as speak with two astronauts currently on the International Space Station, Nick Hague and Christina Koch. NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson moderated the panel discussion. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, left, moderates a panel discussion with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, where college students were able to ask the panelists questions as well as speak with two astronauts currently on the International Space Station, Nick Hague and Christina Koch. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, left, speaks at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, where college students were able to ask panelists, Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, right, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke, not pictured, questions as well as speak with two astronauts currently on the International Space Station, Nick Hague and Christina Koch. NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson moderated the panel discussion. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine speaks at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, where college students were able to ask panelists, Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke questions as well as speak with two astronauts currently on the International Space Station, Nick Hague and Christina Koch. NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson moderated the panel discussion. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Nick Hague, left, and Christina Koch, two astronauts currently living and working on the International Space Station, are seen on the screen during a live uplink and panel discussion with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, center, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, right, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke, not pictured, at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, left, moderated the panel discussion. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine takes a selfie with college students after the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, where they were able to ask panelists, Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke, questions as well as speak with two astronauts currently on the International Space Station, Nick Hague and Christina Koch. NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson moderated the panel discussion. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Students are seen in the audience as NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, moderates a panel discussion with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The students were able to ask the panelists questions as well as speak with two astronauts currently on the International Space Station, Nick Hague and Christina Koch. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine speaks at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, where college students were able to ask panelists, Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke questions as well as speak with two astronauts currently on the International Space Station, Nick Hague and Christina Koch. NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson moderated the panel discussion. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke speaks at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, where college students were able to ask panelists, Clarke, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, and NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier questions as well as speak with two astronauts currently on the International Space Station, Nick Hague and Christina Koch. NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson moderated the panel discussion. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine high fives a college student attending the same university he attended, Rice University, after the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, where they were able to ask panelists, Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke, questions as well as speak with two astronauts currently on the International Space Station, Nick Hague and Christina Koch. NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson moderated the panel discussion. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke speaks at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, where college students were able to ask panelists, Clarke, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, and NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier questions as well as speak with two astronauts currently on the International Space Station, Nick Hague and Christina Koch. NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson moderated the panel discussion. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine speaks at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, where college students were able to ask panelists, Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke, questions as well as speak with two astronauts currently on the International Space Station, Nick Hague and Christina Koch. NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson moderated the panel discussion. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine speaks at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, where college students were able to ask panelists, Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke, questions as well as speak with two astronauts currently on the International Space Station, Nick Hague and Christina Koch. NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson moderated the panel discussion. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, center, speaks at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, where college students were able to ask panelists, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, left, Gerstenmaier, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke, questions as well as speak with two astronauts currently on the International Space Station, Nick Hague and Christina Koch. NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson moderated the panel discussion. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, second from left, speaks at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington, where college students were able to ask panelists, Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, second from right, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke, right, questions as well as speak with two astronauts currently on the International Space Station, Nick Hague and Christina Koch. NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, left, moderated the panel discussion. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Anne Marie Demme asks Nick Hague and Christina Koch, two astronauts currently living and working on the International Space Station, a question during a panel discussion with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Bill Gerstenmaier, and NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Steve Clarke at the "Future of Space" STEM event, Monday, April 29, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, moderated the panel discussion. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)