Introduction to Exploration Systems Projects (ESP)
As NASA begins its transition away from the era of the Space Shuttle to the Nation’s next generation of crew and cargo vehicles, Agency field centers are collaborating in unprecedented ways to meet the goals of returning humans to the Moon by 2020 and planning crewed missions to Mars. Changes of this magnitude have not been seen for more than 30 years, and NASA Administrator Mike Griffin, as part of the Agency’s “ten healthy centers” initiative, is seeking contributions from all NASA centers to assist in realizing these goals through a nationwide team approach.
Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), with its many unique capabilities and core competencies in spaceflight mission management, science integration, and technology development has joined the nationwide team. Through our membership, GSFC is strategically leveraging its mission-validated experience across robotic and human spaceflight missions to the benefit of both communities.
Exploration Systems Projects (ESP) was established by GSFC in March 2006 and originally chartered to serve as the focal point for the Center’s implementation activities within the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate’s (ESMD) Constellation Program. Since then, its charter has expanded to include support to ESMD and other exploration programs including the Commercial Crew & Cargo Program Office (C3PO). Starting with a very small team, ESP has grown to over fifty professionals making significant contributions in a variety of disciplines spanning project management, systems engineering, disciplined engineering, and mission assurance.
As NASA executes the “Vision for Space Exploration” [White House, 2004 - pdf (2MB)] the ESP team will continue its committed efforts to focus GSFC’s contributions to the nationwide team and in return contribute to the vibrancy of the Agency’s first space center.
