Message from the Administrator: NASA Strategic Plan

Every year in February, the President submits his budget request for the federal government to Congress. This year, along with the President’s budget request for NASA, we will be submitting our new NASA Strategic Plan, which guides the work we will perform.

The NASA Strategic Plan outlines our long-term goals as an agency and describes how we will accomplish those goals through the outcomes that support each goal over the next decade or more.

Our Strategic Plan team has been hard at work and we now have a solid new mission statement, vision, and strategic goals and outcomes, all of which will form the basis for the new Strategic Plan. I shared these with you back in October, but wanted to take this opportunity to talk about them in more detail.

Our goals are just that – our goals. And they are cross cutting, with multiple Centers, Mission Directorates and Mission Support Offices contributing to the success of each. We are all responsible for ensuring that these agency goals are met. I expect you to focus on the new mission, vision, and goals starting now and going forward. Our mission, vision, and goals are who we are as an agency and should encompass all we do.

Below is an outline of our vision, mission, goals and outcomes. The full plan will include narratives for why we pursue each strategic goal, our strategies for achieving the goals, our performance targets, and the challenges we face achieving our goals.

This is an exciting time for NASA and we have a solid way forward. Working together, we will continue to make NASA’s future better and brighter as we contribute to the welfare of our Nation. Thank you for all that you do,

Charlie B.

Vision: NASA leads scientific and technological advances in aeronautics and space for a Nation on the frontier of discovery.

Mission: Drive advances in science, technology, and exploration to enhance knowledge, education, innovation, economic vitality, and stewardship of the Earth.

Goal 1: Extend and sustain human activities across the solar system.

1.1 Sustain the operation and full use of the International Space Station and expand efforts to utilize the ISS as a national lab for scientific, technological, diplomatic, and educational purposes and support future objectives in human space exploration.

1.2 Develop competitive opportunities for the commercial community to provide best value products and services to Low Earth Orbit and beyond.

1.3 Conduct robotic missions to scout destinations, find resources, and lower risk for future human exploration.

1.4 Develop an integrated architecture and capabilities for safe crewed and cargo missions beyond Low Earth Orbit.

Goal 2: Expand scientific understanding of the Earth and the universe in which we live.

2.1 Advance Earth System Science to meet the challenges of climate and environmental change.

2.2 Understand the Sun and its interactions with the Earth and the solar system.

2.3 Ascertain the content, origin and evolution of the solar system and the potential for life elsewhere.

2.4 Discover how the universe works, explore how it began and evolved, and search for Earth-like planets.

Goal 3: Create the innovative new space technologies for our exploration, science, and economic future.

3.1 Sponsor early stage innovation in space technologies in order to improve the future capabilities of NASA, other government agencies, and the aerospace industry.

3.2 Infuse game-changing and cross-cutting technologies throughout the nation’s space enterprise, to transform the nation’s space mission capabilities.

3.3 Develop and demonstrate the critical technologies that will make NASA’s exploration, science, and discovery missions more affordable and more capable.

3.4 Facilitate the transfer of NASA technology and engage in partnerships with other government Agencies, industry, and international entities to generate U.S. commercial activity and other public benefits.

Goal 4: Advance aeronautics research for societal benefit.

4.1 Develop innovative solutions and advanced technologies through a balanced research portfolio to improve current and future air transportation.

4.2 Conduct systems-level research on innovative and promising aeronautics concepts and technologies to demonstrate integrated capabilities and benefits in a relevant flight and/or ground environment.

Goal 5: Enable program and institutional capabilities to conduct NASA’s aeronautics and space activities.

5.1 Identify, cultivate, and sustain a diverse workforce and inclusive work environment that is needed to conduct NASA missions.

5.2 Ensure vital assets are ready, available, and appropriately sized to conduct NASA’s missions.

5.3 Ensure the availability to the Nation of NASA-owned strategically important test capabilities.

5.4 Implement and provide space communications and launch capabilities responsive to existing and future science and space exploration missions.

5.5 Establish partnerships, including innovative arrangements, with commercial, international, and other government entities to maximize mission success.

Goal 6: Share NASA with the public, educators, and students to provide opportunities to participate in our mission, foster innovation and contribute to a strong National economy.

6.1 Improve retention of students in STEM disciplines by providing opportunities and activities along the full length of the education pipeline.

6.2 Promote STEM literacy through strategic partnerships with formal and informal organizations.

6.3 Engage the public in NASA’s missions by providing new pathways for participation.

6.4 Inform, engage and inspire the public by sharing NASA’s missions, challenges, and results.