Science Mission Directorate
Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is a division of NASA that is responsible for carrying out scientific research and exploration missions in space. SMD's main objective is to understand the universe and our place in it by studying the Earth, the Sun, our solar system, and the wider universe. SMD manages a wide range of missions, including robotic exploration of other planets and moons, astrophysics research, heliophysics research, and Earth science research. SMD also supports the development of new technologies and instruments that enable scientific discovery in space. Through its research and exploration missions, SMD seeks to answer fundamental questions about the origins and evolution of the universe, the formation of planets and stars, and the potential for life beyond Earth.
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Top News
Check out this interactive map of the early universe, considered largest ever cr...
A team of astronomers have put together the largest, most detailed map of the universe ever created – and you can explore it now....
News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-12
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is about to totally transform astronomy...
With the ability to scan the entire southern night sky every three days, the huge Vera C. Rubin Observatory could be about to start solving the mysteries of the universe, from dark matter to Planet Ni...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-12
Trump's proposed science cuts will have huge consequences...
The universe will still be there to marvel at, despite brutal cuts set to hit NASA and the National Science Foundation's budgets. But the damage to future research will be long-lasting, says Chanda Pr...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-11
Starlink satellites are leaking radio signals that may ruin astronomy...
Our ability to study faint radio signals from when the first stars began to form is being threatened by SpaceX's Starlink satellites, which seem to be unintentionally leaking radio signals that overpo...
News Source: New Scientist on 2025-06-09
Asteroids around Venus pose possible 'invisible threat' to Earth: Should you be ...
A swarm of large asteroids likely lurking around Venus could one day pose an "invisible threat" to Earth if left unchecked, astronomers have warned....
News Source: USA Today on 2025-06-06