NASA is the space agency run by the United States to oversee American space exploration, research and technology. NASA, or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, was founded in 1958 as a civilian agency for U.S. space exploration. Prior to 1958, the agency's progenitor was known as the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. NASA develops, builds and launches missions to study the Earth, moon and sun, as well as the entire solar system and beyond. The agency has its headquarters in Washington D.C., with major centers in Florida (the Kennedy Space Center for launches) and Houston (the Johnson Space Center, home of the astronaut corps). Other centers are spread across the country for scientific research, test flights and spacecraft manufacturing. NASA's current chief is Administrator Jim Bridenstine, who is leading the agency's mission of returning astronauts to the moon and sending them on to Mars. See the latest NASA news.
Related Topics: Apollo Program, China Space Program, Incredible Space Tech, International Space Station, Interstellar Travel
Latest about NASA
'Let's not fool the public': Why moon art should be more realistic in the Artemis age
As NASA's Artemis program hits its stride, there's an urgent need to guard against artistic misrepresentations of the moon, experts say.
James Webb Space Telescope captures the star-forming clouds of Orion A in stunning detail | Space photo of the day for June 22, 2026
The Orion A region has never looked as colorful and vibrant.
A private company will build and launch NASA's next Mars orbiter in 2028 — and it's not SpaceX
Schmidt has also reportedly invested significant sums in the company.
Annie Easley, a hero of NASA | Space photo of the day for June 19, 2026
Easley was a human computer for the agency who helped with building the Centaur upper-stage rocket.
Juicy new details emerge about an asteroid NASA's Lucy spacecraft flew by last year
Evidence of chemical alteration by liquid water has been found on the asteroid Donaldjohanson, which formed further from the sun before being shoved inwards.
One of these twin stars has likely been snacking on exoplanets
Astronomers have discovered chemical differences between binary stars that indicate one has devoured at least one planet.
James Webb Space Telescope discovers extreme exoplanet being roasted by its home star
Who ordered the roasted exoplanet? Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope found a world that really puts the "hot" in "Hot Jupiter."
'Best. Mars. Mission. Ever.' Scientists hail MAVEN's legacy as NASA retires Red Planet orbiter
NASA's MAVEN Mars mission ended after 11 years, having revealed how the planet lost its atmosphere and served as a key communications relay for surface missions.
