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 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."

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)

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)

William Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, testifies during a hearing before the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology regarding access to and sustainability of the International Space Station, Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

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)

William Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, testifies during a hearing before the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology regarding access to and sustainability of the International Space Station, Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

William Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, testifies during a hearing before the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology regarding access to and sustainability of the International Space Station, Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

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)

William Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, testifies during a hearing before the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology regarding access to and sustainability of the International Space Station, Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier speaks during a media briefing about the space shuttle program and processing for the STS-121 mission, Friday, April 28, 2006, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

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)

William Gerstenmaier, NASA Associatate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, right, answers a question during a panel discussion moderated by PBS NewsHour's Miles O'Brien at the Humans to Mars Summit on April 22, 2014 at George Washington University in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

William Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, testifies during a hearing before the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology regarding access to and sustainability of the International Space Station, Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Directorate William Gerstenmaier answers questions during a Expedition 59 post-docking press conference, Friday, March 15, 2019 at the Baikonur Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

William Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, testifies during a hearing before the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology regarding access to and sustainability of the International Space Station, Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

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 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)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier testifies during a Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness hearing titled "Examining the Future of the International Space Station: Administration Perspectives" held on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier testifies during a Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness hearing titled "Examining the Future of the International Space Station: Administration Perspectives" held on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier testifies during a Senate Subcommittee on Space, Science, and Competitiveness hearing titled "Examining the Future of the International Space Station: Administration Perspectives" held on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier speaks at the opening of an industry forum on the agency's lunar exploration plans, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The agency will work with industry to study and refine the approach to landing on the Moon, which includes a system of three separate elements that will provide astronauts transportation, landing, and safe return. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier speaks at the opening of an industry forum on the agency's lunar exploration plans, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The agency will work with industry to study and refine the approach to landing on the Moon, which includes a system of three separate elements that will provide astronauts transportation, landing, and safe return. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier speaks at the opening of an industry forum on the agency's lunar exploration plans, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The agency will work with industry to study and refine the approach to landing on the Moon, which includes a system of three separate elements that will provide astronauts transportation, landing, and safe return. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier responds to questions during the fiscal year 2007 news conference, Monday, Feb. 6, 2006, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, background right, was joined by the heads of NASA's four mission directorates to explain how the proposed $16.8 billion dollar budget supports the Vision for Space Exploration. The budget represents a 3.2% increase above the fiscal year 2006 appropriated budget. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier speaks during a reception hosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) to celebrate NASA's 60th anniversary, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin, left, and NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Directorate William Gerstenmaier answer questions during a Expedition 59 post-docking press conference, Friday, March 15, 2019 at the Baikonur Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier speaks during a reception hosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) to celebrate NASA's 60th anniversary, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Directorate William Gerstenmaier answers questions during a Expedition 59 post-docking press conference, Friday, March 15, 2019 at the Baikonur Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

William Gerstenmaier, third from right, Associate Administrator for Space Operations answers a reporter’s question during a Soyuz post-docking press conference at the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev, Russia on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010. Gerstenmaier is flanked by NASA and ROSCOSMOS senior officials. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

William Gerstenmaier, seated center, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations, speaks at a post Soyuz docking press conference at Russian Mission Control on Friday, June 18, 2010 in Korolev, Russia. Gerstenmaier is seen with NASA and ROSCOSMOS senior management members. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Dmitry Rogozin, the head of Roscosmos, discusses the successful launch and docking of the Expedition 58 crew to the International Space Station during a post-docking news conference with NASA’s Associate Administrator for Human Exploration Operations, William Gerstenmaier, and Sylvain Laporte, president, Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Dec. 4 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. At the news conference, Rogozin announced that NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, who were involved in the abort of their first launch Oct. 11, would be reflown on Feb. 28, along with NASA astronaut Christina Koch as the Expedition 59-60 crew. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier, right, and NASA Associate Administrator for Exploration Systems Scott J. Horowitz talk during the fiscal year 2007 news conference, Monday, Feb. 6, 2006, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. NASA Administrator Michael Griffin was joined by the heads of NASA's four mission directorates to explain how the proposed $16.8 billion dollar budget supports the Vision for Space Exploration. The budget represents a 3.2% increase above the fiscal year 2006 appropriated budget. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Directorate William Gerstenmaier gives remarks during a briefing where NASA announced the agency’s five-part plan to open the International Space Station to expanded commercial and marketing activities and private astronaut missions to the station and enable additional commercial destinations in low-Earth orbit, Friday, June 7, 2019 at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York City. NASA will continue to maintain human presence and research in low-Earth orbit, and the long-term goal is to achieve a robust economy from which NASA can purchase services at a lower cost. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

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, 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)

William Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator for Space Operations, speaks during the State Commission meeting to approve the Soyuz launch of Expedition 24 Flight Engineers Doug Wheelock, Shannon Walker and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin on Monday, June 14, 2010 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

William Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator for Space Operations, is seen at Russian Mission Control in Korolev, Russia speaking to the crew of Expedition 28 shortly after their arrival at the International Space Station on Friday, June 10, 2011. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

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, second from right, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations, speaks to the crew of Expedition 24 shortly after their arrival to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard their Soyuz TMA-19 on Friday, June 18, 2010 at Russian Mission Control in Korolev, Russia. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, left, and Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier, right, smile as Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale, right on television screen, and Ken Welzyn, External Tank Chief Engineer, join in from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center during a media briefing about the space shuttle program and processing for the STS-121 mission, Friday, April 28, 2006, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier testifies during a House Subcommittee on Space hearing titled "60 Years of NASA Leadership in Human Space Exploration: Past, Present, and Future," Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018 at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, left, looks on as Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier, right, speaks while Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center waits by during a media briefing about the space shuttle program and processing for the STS-121 mission, Friday, April 28, 2006, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Roscosmos Director of Human Spaceflight Programs Sergei Krikalev, Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin, and NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Directorate William Gerstenmaier answer questions during a Expedition 59 post-docking press conference, Friday, March 15, 2019 at the Baikonur Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier, right, look on as Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale speaks from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center during a media briefing about the space shuttle program and processing for the STS-121 mission, Friday, April 28, 2006, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

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)

Roscosmos Director of Human Spaceflight Programs Sergei Krikalev, left, Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin, center, and NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Directorate William Gerstenmaier answer questions during a Expedition 59 post-docking press conference, Friday, March 15, 2019 at the Baikonur Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, left, and Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier, right, look on as Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale talks from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center about the space shuttle's ice frost ramps during a media briefing about the space shuttle program and processing for the STS-121 mission, Friday, April 28, 2006, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier testifies during a House Subcommittee on Space hearing titled "60 Years of NASA Leadership in Human Space Exploration: Past, Present, and Future," Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018 at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, left, and Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier, right, look on as Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, holds a test configuration of an ice frost ramp during a media briefing about the space shuttle program and processing for the STS-121 mission, Friday, April 28, 2006, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier, is seen during a House Subcommittee on Space hearing titled "60 Years of NASA Leadership in Human Space Exploration: Past, Present, and Future," Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018 at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, left, and Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier, right, look on as Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale speaks from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center during a media briefing about the space shuttle program and processing for the STS-121 mission, Friday, April 28, 2006, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. At left on screen is Ken Welzyn, External Tank Chief Engineer. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Dr. Marc Mauer, president of the National Federation of the Blind accepts an award from William Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator, Space Operations, NASA Headquarters at a ceremony where senior NASA officials presented the NFB with two Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollars that flew on Space Shuttle Atlantis' mission (STS-125) to the Hubble Space Telescope in May 2009, Friday evening, July 31, 2009, at the Capitol Visitors Center in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, second from left, and Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier, right, look on as Space Shuttle Program Manager Wayne Hale speaks from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center during a media briefing about the space shuttle program and processing for the STS-121 mission, Friday, April 28, 2006, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Moderator Dean Acosta looks on af far left. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin outlines the President's budget for fiscal year 2007 during a news conference, Monday, Feb. 6, 2006, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Griffin was joined by the heads of NASA's four mission directorates to explain how the proposed $16.8 billion dollar budget supports the Vision for Space Exploration. Seated left to right: Scott Horowitz, NASA Associate Administrator for Exploration Systems, William Gerstenmaier, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations, Lisa Porter, NASA Associate Administrator for Aeronautics Research and Mary Cleave, NASA Associate Administrator for Science. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

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 Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier, left, Dr. Bhavya Lal, a researcher at the Institute for Defense Analysis's Science and Technology Policy Institute, center, and Dr. Elizabeth Cantwell, chief executive officer at the Arizona State University Research Enterprise, right, listen as Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas, is seen on screen as he delivers an opening statement 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 Human Exploration and Operations, William Gerstenmaier, talks 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 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)

William Gerstenmaier, NASA Associate Administrator Human Exploration and Operations speaks at a press conference following the successful single-day launch-to-docking of the Soyuz TMA-08M with the International Space Station on Friday, March 29, 2013 at the Baikonur Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The Soyuz reached the station in less than six hours and after only four orbits, instead of its usual two-day route, carrying the Expedition 35 crew of Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov, NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy and Russian Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

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 Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, William Gerstenmaier, listens to a question from the audience 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’s Associate Administrator for Human Exploration Operations, William Gerstenmaier, discusses the successful launch and docking of the Expedition 58 crew to the International Space Station during a post-docking news conference Dec. 4 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. At the news conference, Dmitry Rogozin, the head of Roscosmos, announced that NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, who were involved in the abort of their first launch Oct. 11, would be reflown on Feb. 28, along with NASA astronaut Christina Koch as the Expedition 59-60 crew. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

William Gerstenmaier (second from right), NASA Associate Administrator Human Exploration and Operations speaks at a press conference following the successful single-day launch-to-docking of the Soyuz TMA-08M with the International Space Station on Friday, March 29, 2013 at the Baikonur Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The Soyuz reached the station in less than six hours and after only four orbits, instead of its usual two-day route, carrying the Expedition 35 crew of Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov, NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy and Russian Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier, left, Dr. Bhavya Lal, a researcher at the Institute for Defense Analysis's Science and Technology Policy Institute, center, and Dr. Elizabeth Cantwell, chief executive officer at the Arizona State University Research Enterprise, right, listen as Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas, is seen on screen as he delivers an opening statement 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 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)

NASA Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, William Gerstenmaier, talks 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)

William Gerstenmaier, Associate Administrator for Space Operations, is interviewed by Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) TV following a Soyuz post-docking press conference at the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev, Russia on Friday, June 10, 2011. The Soyuz TMA-02M docked to the International Space Station carrying Expedition 28 Soyuz Commander Sergei Volkov, NASA Flight Engineer Mike Fossum and JAXA (Japanase Aerospace Exploration Agency) Flight Engineer Satoshi Furukawa. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier watches the latest weather radar from Firing Room Four of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, Sunday, July 12, 2009. Endeavour is set to launch at 7:13p.m. EDT with the crew of STS-127 and start a 16-day mission that will feature five spacewalks and complete construction of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Expedition 57 Flight Engineer Nick Hague of NASA walks with NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Directorate William Gerstenmaier, center, and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, right, prior to boarding the Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft for launch, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Hague and Expedition 57 Flight Engineer Alexey Ovchinin of Roscosmos will spend the next six months living and working aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Director of Flight Crew Operations Bob Cabana, upper left, talks with NASA colleagues on the satellite phone from a Russian helicopter while International Space Station Program Manager, William Gerstenmaier and J.D. Polk, Expedition 6 Flight Surgeon, right, wait to get word if they will be continuing on to the landing site after a refueling stop, Tuesday, May 4, 2003 in Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Associate Administrator, Human Exploration and Operations William Gerstenmaier, left, and NASA Special Assistant to the Administrator Mark Sirangelo, watch as a video is played during 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)

NASA Associate Administrator, Human Exploration and Operations William Gerstenmaier testifies during 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)

NASA Associate Administrator, Human Exploration and Operations William Gerstenmaier testifies during 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)

NASA Associate Administrator, Human Exploration and Operations William Gerstenmaier, left, and NASA Special Assistant to the Administrator Mark Sirangelo, testify during 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)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Directorate William Gerstenmaier, left, NASA Chief Financial Officer Jeff DeWit, center, and NASA International Space Station Deputy Director Robyn Gatens announce the agency’s five-part plan to open the International Space Station to expanded commercial and marketing activities and private astronaut missions to the station and enable additional commercial destinations in low-Earth orbit, Friday, June 7, 2019 at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York City. NASA will continue to maintain human presence and research in low-Earth orbit, and the long-term goal is to achieve a robust economy from which NASA can purchase services at a lower cost. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Public Affairs Officer Stephanie Schierholz, standing left, moderates a media briefing with NASA Chief Financial Officer Jeff DeWit, left, NASA International Space Station Deputy Director Robyn Gatens, center, and NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Directorate William Gerstenmaier where they announced the agency’s five-part plan to open the International Space Station to expanded commercial and marketing activities and private astronaut missions to the station and enable additional commercial destinations in low-Earth orbit, Friday, June 7, 2019 at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York City. NASA will continue to maintain human presence and research in low-Earth orbit, and the long-term goal is to achieve a robust economy from which NASA can purchase services at a lower cost. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier monitors the countdown to the launch of the space shuttle Endeavour (STS-134) from Firing Room Four of the Launch Control Center (LCC), Monday, May 16, 2011, at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. During the mission, Endeavour and the STS-134 crew will deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) and spare parts including two S-band communications antennas, a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for Dextre. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Dmitry Rogozin, the head of Roscosmos, center, discusses the successful launch and docking of the Expedition 58 crew to the International Space Station during a post-docking news conference with NASA’s Associate Administrator for Human Exploration Operations, William Gerstenmaier, left of Rogozin, and Sylvain Laporte, president, Canadian Space Agency (CSA), right of Rogozin, Dec. 4 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. At the news conference, Rogozin announced that NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, who were involved in the abort of their first launch Oct. 11, would be reflown on Feb. 28, along with NASA astronaut Christina Koch as the Expedition 59-60 crew. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, left, and NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier tour the Soyuz launch pad in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Tuesday, Sept., 29, 2009 the day before Expedition 21 Flight Engineer Maxim Suraev, Expedition 21 Flight Engineer Jeffrey N. Williams and Spaceflight Participant Guy Laliberté are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station (ISS). Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, left, and NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier tour the Soyuz launch pad in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Tuesday, Sept., 29, 2009 the day before Expedition 21 Flight Engineer Maxim Suraev, Expedition 21 Flight Engineer Jeffrey N. Williams and Spaceflight Participant Guy Laliberté are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station (ISS). Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Portraits of past House Science and Technology Committee Chairmen, Sherwood Boehlert, left, and Ralph Hall are seen as NASA Associate Administrator, Human Exploration and Operations William Gerstenmaier testifies during a 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)

NASA Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier, right, escorts Expedition 56 flight engineer Serena Auñón-Chancellor as she prepares to board the Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft for launch, Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Auñón-Chancellor and her crewmates Alexander Gerst of ESA (European Space Agency) and Sergey Prokopyev of Roscosmos will spend the next six months living and working aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Dr. Thomas H. Marshburn, NASA Flight Surgeon, center, is helped to a Russian helicopter by interpreter Paul Kharmats, far left, astronaut James H. Newman and NASA International Space Station Program Manager William Gerstenmaier, right. Dr. Marshburn was on one of four helicopters that were advanced to Arkalyk, Kazakhstan a day prior to the Expedition 7 Soyuz landing, Monday, October 27, 2003. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Associate Administrator, Human Exploration and Operations William Gerstenmaier testifies during 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)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, left, and NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier tour the Soyuz launch pad in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Tuesday, Sept., 29, 2009 the day before Expedition 21 Flight Engineer Maxim Suraev, Expedition 21 Flight Engineer Jeffrey N. Williams and Spaceflight Participant Guy Laliberté are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station (ISS). Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

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)

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 the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier speaks with the Soyuz MS-09 crew from the Moscow Mission Control Center in Korolev, Russia a few hours after the Soyuz MS-09 docked to the International Space Station on Friday, June 8, 2018. Hatches were opened at 11:17am EDT (6:17pm Moscow time) and Sergey Prokopyev of Roscosmos, Serena Auñón-Chancellor of NASA, and Alexander Gerst of ESA (European Space Agency) joined Expedition 56 Commander Drew Feustel of NASA, Ricky Arnold of NASA, and Oleg Artemyev of Roscosmos onboard the orbiting laboratory. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

L-R: William Gerstenmaier, NASA Associate Administrator for human exploration and operations; Charlie Precourt, Vice President and General Manager, ATK Space Launch Division; John Elbon, Vice President and General Manager, Boeing Space Exploration; Julie Van Kleek, Vice President, space programs, Aerojet Rocketdyne; and Jim Crocker, Vice President and General Manager, civil space, Lockheed Martin Space Systems, participate 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)

Jody Singer, Director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, second from right, testifies during a House Subcommittee on Space hearing titled "60 Years of NASA Leadership in Human Space Exploration: Past, Present, and Future," Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018 at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. NASA's Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate William Gerstenmaier, left, Mark Geyer, Director of NASA's Johnson Space Center, second from left, and Robert Cabana, Director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, right, also testified during the hearing. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier points to one the monitors in Firing Room Four of the Launch Control Center (LCC) as NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, right, and other NASA managers look on during the launch of the space shuttle Endeavour (STS-134), Monday, May 16, 2011, at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. During the mission, Endeavour and the STS-134 crew will deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) and spare parts including two S-band communications antennas, a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for Dextre. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

L-R: William Gerstenmaier, NASA Associate Administrator for human exploration and operations; Charlie Precourt, Vice President and General Manager, ATK Space Launch Division; John Elbon, Vice President and General Manager, Boeing Space Exploration; Julie Van Kleek, Vice President, space programs, Aerojet Rocketdyne; and Jim Crocker, Vice President and General Manager, civil space, Lockheed Martin Space Systems, participate 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 is seen on the launch pad with the Soyuz MS-07 spacecraft, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Expedition 54 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos, flight engineer Scott Tingle of NASA, and flight engineer Norishige Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched at 2:21 a.m. EST (1:21 p.m. Baikonur time) on Dec. 17 to begin a five month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

L-R: William Gerstenmaier, NASA Associate Administrator for human exploration and operations; Charlie Precourt, Vice President and General Manager, ATK Space Launch Division; John Elbon, Vice President and General Manager, Boeing Space Exploration; Julie Van Kleek, Vice President, space programs, Aerojet Rocketdyne; and Jim Crocker, Vice President and General Manager, civil space, Lockheed Martin Space Systems, participate 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)

Jean-Jacques Dordain, Director General of the European Space Agency, left, Oleg Ostapenko, General Director of the Russian Federal Space Agency, Roscosmos, center, and William Gerstenmaier, NASA Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, right, are seen during a joint statement after the docking of the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft with the International Space Station on Thursday, May 29, 2014 at the Baikonur Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)