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NASA, the latest news from the US space agency

Famous NASA Logo
NASA's famous emblem. (Image credit: NASA)

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

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Latest about NASA

The Chang'e 5 return capsule at its landing site in Inner Mongolia, China, on Dec. 17, 2020.

China is sharing priceless moon samples with international partners, but NASA can't be a part of it

By Keith Cooper published

The Wolf Amendment, a law that prevents bilateral cooperation in space research between the U.S. and China, is preventing U.S. government-funded analysis of the Chang'e 5 moon samples.

The moon
This mosaic depicts the International Space Station pictured from the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour during a fly around of the orbiting lab that took place following its undocking from the Harmony module’s space-facing port on Nov. 8, 2021.

International Space Station: Everything you need to know about the orbital laboratory

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

Reference The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest single structure humans ever put into space. Explore the orbital laboratory in more detail here.

Reference
A woman with long dark hair and blue eyes wears clear-framed glasses and black hoodie with phases of the moon on the front.

NASA celebrated this employee's story of resilience, then tried to scrub it from the internet. Then fired her.

By Josh Dinner published

NASA's deletion of websites related to women in STEM and other DEIA programs erased this woman's story from the internet. NASA put it back online, but then they fired her.

Space Exploration
A moon lamp is next to a small telescope with a moon on it sitting underneath a grey spherical projector in a triangle formation in front of purple rings and a starry background

The best Moon gifts 2025: Lego, projectors, models and more

By Kim Snaith last updated

From lamps to books to Lego sets, these are the best Moon-themed gifts to buy lunar lovers.

Entertainment
The logo of NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

President Trump nominates former Air Force colonel Matt Anderson to be NASA's deputy chief

By Mike Wall published

President Trump has picked former Air Force colonel Matt Anderson to be second in command at NASA.

Space Exploration
Artist's illustration of NASA's ice-hunting VIPER rover exploring the moon.

What will happen to VIPER? NASA shifts into reverse on canceled moon rover

By Josh Dinner published

NASA is no longer asking U.S. companies for proposals to get the ice-hunting VIPER rover to the moon but still hasn't given up on the mission.

The moon
a man and a boy, each dressed in spacesuits, pose wearing mission patches against a dark background

Astronaut Scott Kelly joins 'Mission Dry,' stars in Goodnites campaign film

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

Astronauts are helping to destigmatize a childhood experience by pointing out the similarities between what some kids wear to bed and what explorers wear into space.

Human Spaceflight
Artist's illustration of SpaceX Starships on Mars.

'Eventually, all life on Earth will be destroyed by the sun': Elon Musk explains his drive to colonize Mars

By Mike Wall published

Elon Musk explained the rather depressing fate of life on Earth to Fox News host Jesse Waters, who had asked him why humanity should go to Mars.

Mars
A woman in a blue jacket gestures with her hands.

Laurie Leshin stepping down as director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab

By Josh Dinner published

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory will prepare for new leadership, as current director Laurie Leshin has announced that she's stepping down from the role next month.

Space Exploration
A white cylinder with an american flag is lowered into a fitting hole on a raised metal platform.

NASA's Artemis 2 moon rocket gets 2nd stage even as Trump tries to scrap Space Launch System (photos)

By Josh Dinner published

NASA's next moon rocket is stacking higher at the Kennedy Space Center, as the interim cryogenic propulsion stage is added to the launch vehicle.

Artemis
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