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
NASA plans to build a nuclear reactor on the moon — a space lawyer explains why, and what the law has to say
Recently, acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy reportedly suggested a U.S. reactor would be operational on the moon by 2030.
Blue Origin pitches new 'Mars Telecommunications Orbiter' for Red Planet missions (video)
Blue Origin has used its Blue Ring spacecraft platform to develop the Mars Telecommunications Orbiter, which the company says could aid future NASA missions to the Red Planet.
Trump signs executive order to boost commercial space — and shift NASA's balance of power
The executive order directs multiple federal agencies to streamline launch licensing, fast-track spaceport construction and better support emerging in-space industries.
SpaceX Crew-11 Dragon spacecraft approaches the ISS | Space photo of the day for Aug. 14, 2025
SpaceX's Crew-11 mission delivered four astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA, aboard a Crew Dragon spacecraft.
NASA's Artemis 2 Orion spacecraft fuels up and moves closer to launch
NASA's Orion spacecraft for the crewed Artemis 2 mission to fly astronauts around the moon is all fueled up and going through final preparations to ready the vehicle for stacking with its SLS rocket.
Hubble spots star-forming area of Tarantula nebula | Space photo of the day for Aug. 12, 2025
The Tarantula nebula was recently captured by the Hubble Space Telescope, where the Scylla program helped create the colored image of this star-forming area.
NASA's Roman Space Telescope gets its 'extremely strong sunblock' installed
Scientists are making milestones on NASA's Roman Space Telescope as Trump continues to threaten the agency's science budget.
SpaceX's Crew-10 astronauts return to Earth after nearly 5 months in space (video)
SpaceX's Crew-10 astronauts returned to Earth on Saturday (Aug. 9) after living on the International Space Station for nearly five months.
