NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a May press conference that the United States will pursue cislunar exploration to support a growing economy, advance scientific knowledge, and maintain strategic advantage as it prepares for missions to the moon and Mars.

Cislunar exploration requires spacecraft capable of operating beyond low Earth orbit, demanding experience and specialized engineering.

John Troeltzsch, Exploration Architect at BAE Systems, said the company has a history of supporting space missions, including work on the Deep Impact probe, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Kepler telescope, James Webb Space Telescope, and the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.

He added that BAE Systems is developing the Ascent spacecraft, part of its Elevation product line, which can perform refueling and high‑thrust maneuvers and carry multiple rideshare payloads.

Christie Bertels, Director of Civil Space Business Development at BAE Systems, noted that future lunar and Martian operations will need autonomy, advanced computing, and reliable communications.

Troeltzsch said high‑demand skills include machine learning, software development, engineering, and astrodynamics, and that the industry must recruit talent from diverse sectors such as automotive.

BAE Systems is expanding hiring efforts and offering training, mentorship, and a mission‑focused culture to attract engineers, scientists, business professionals, and communications staff.

The company said its combined heritage and new capabilities position it to support missions that will place hardware on the lunar surface, including instruments for the University of Colorado’s L‑CIRiS and NASA’s LunarVISE programs.

The outlook remains focused on building the technical foundation and workforce needed for sustained cislunar activity.