Architecture Concept Review
NASA’s annual Architecture Concept Review cycle allows the agency to evolve its Moon to Mars Architecture, our roadmap for crewed exploration of deep space.
Introduction
In collaboration with other agency directorates — Space Operations, Science, Space Technology, and Aeronautics — as well as commercial, academic, and international partners, NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate leads crewed deep space exploration for the agency. The directorate develops and implements the systems necessary to achieve its exploration goals through the Moon to Mars Architecture.
Within the directorate, NASA’s Strategy and Architecture Office leads definition, documentation, and disposition of the architecture with buy-in from all stakeholders. They do so through the annual Architecture Concept Review (ACR) cycle.
Architecture Concept Review
The ACR cycle culminates in the ACR meeting, which invites leaders from across NASA’s mission directorates, centers, and technical authorities to consider updates to the architecture. The architecture team polls attendees, seeking concurrence on the architecture to ensure a united vision for crewed exploration in deep space.
After completing the ACR, the agency releases a new revision of the Architecture Definition Document, an executive summary of the architecture, and white papers on specific technical topics. These products share updates, foster collaboration, and build excitement for humanity’s future among the stars.
Strategic Analysis Cycle
The ACR cycle begins with the kickoff of that year’s strategic analysis cycle (SAC). SAC tasks and trade studies help NASA to better understand architectural needs, capability gaps, and opportunities to enhance the architecture through the addition of new elements.
During their analyses, architects engage with diverse stakeholders. Within the agency, that means integrating across NASA’s directorates, centers, technical authorities, and communities of expertise. To engage with experts in industry, academia, and the international community, NASA hosts events like the annual Moon to Mars Architecture Workshops. Architecture teams also engage potential partners through study agreements and solicitations.