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
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
Latest about NASA
On this day in space! Oct. 16, 1975: NASA launches 1st GOES weather satellite
On Oct. 16, 1975, NASA launched the first operational GOES satellite!
Watch 2 Russian cosmonauts spacewalk outside the International Space Station today
Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritskiy will conduct a spacewalk outside the ISS today (Oct. 16), and you can watch it live.
Did a NASA exoplanet-hunting balloon really 'crash' in Texas? Not according to the scientist behind the flight
NASA launched an exoplanet-hunting experiment Oct. 1 despite the government shutdown. After the mission's end on Oct. 2, news reports got a little confused.
NASA lays off 550 employees at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in sweeping 'realignment' of workforce
NASA has announced a new wave of layoffs at its Jet Propulsion Laboratory, as the agency undergoes a sweeping "realignment" of its workforce.
NASA's Lunar Electric Rover rolls across Arizona | Space photo of the day for Oct. 9, 2025
NASA's Lunar Electric Rover was tested in Arizona's rugged desert terrain to simulate lunar exploration and refine designs for future missions.
Bill Nye and the Planetary Society hold 'Save NASA Science' day of action on Capitol Hill
"When it comes to exploration, there is no private option."
Trivia in orbit: How well do you know the ISS?
This quiz will test your grasp of everything from orbital mechanics and international partnerships to basic facts about the International Space Station
NASA pilot suits up to scan the Earth | Space photo of the day for Oct 3. 2025
As NASA's ER-2 aircraft takes flight over the American Southwest, the GEMx mission is using high-altitude hyperspectral imaging to uncover Earth's hidden mineral resources
