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
On this day in space! Dec. 5, 2014: Orion spacecraft makes 1st test flight
On Dec. 5, 2014, NASA's Orion space capsule launched for the first time.
Was Elon Musk in the room where it happened? This senator still wants to know
As he did eight months ago, Sen. Ed Markey asked Jared Isaacman if Elon Musk was in the room when President Trump first offered him the job of NASA chief. And, once again, Isaacman demurred.
The US must beat China to moon, Trump pick for NASA chief Jared Isaacman tells Senate: 'If we make a mistake, we may never catch up'
Billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman didn't mince words Wednesday (Dec. 3) during his second hearing before the Senate committee considering his nomination for NASA administrator.
Round 2: Watch Senate hearing for Jared Isaacman's re-nomination as NASA chief today
The U.S. Senate will hold its second hearing to consider billionaire tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman's nomination for NASA chief on Wednesday (Dec. 3), and you can watch the action live.
For the 1st time ever, 8 spacecraft are docked to the International Space Station
All eight of the International Space Station's docking ports are currently occupied by visiting spacecraft, marking a milestone for crewed spaceflight.
Europe passes record-breaking space budget while NASA hit with deep cuts
The European Space Agency member states have approved a record-breaking budget for the next three years, including increased funding for science exploration.
NASA exoplanet-hunting spacecraft hears a red giant star 'singing' to its partner black hole
NASA's exoplanet-hunting spacecraft TESS has heard the song a star-quaking red giant sings to its partner black hole.
James Webb Space Telescope spies mysterious high-energy radiation in star nursery
Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have discovered puzzling ultraviolet radiation around young stars in a stellar nursery.
