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
Mexico City is sinking up to 14 inches per year, satellite images show
Mexico City is one of the fastest subsiding cities in the world, dropping by up to 14 inches every year.
Former NASA chief Jim Bridenstine takes over as CEO of Quantum Space
Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine is the new CEO of Quantum Space, a company developing maneuverable spacecraft for use by the U.S. military and commercial operators.
NASA is making a powerful new ion engine to send astronauts to Mars — and it just passed its 1st test
A prototype ion engine that uses lithium metal vapor as a propellant has aced its first tests, achieving 25 times more power than the ion engine on the Psyche mission.
Trump's proposed NASA budget is a 'horrible threat to our future' in space, Planetary Society CEO says
In conversation with Space.com, the new Planetary Society CEO talked about the fight to restore NASA's funding again 2027.
'It was quite a light show!' NASA astronaut spies dramatic fireball from the International Space Station (photos)
NASA astronaut Chris Williams photographed a fireball from above recently, capturing the stunning site from aboard the International Space Station.
An Amazon rainforest river from space | Space photo of the day for April 30, 2026
The Ucayali River snakes across the rainforest in this image captured by NASA astronaut Jessica Meir from the International Space Station.
NASA chief Jared Isaacman says he's fighting for Pluto: 'I am very much in the camp of 'make Pluto a planet again'
Should Pluto be a bona fide planet again? NASA is working to "revisit the discussion" on Pluto's planethood status, according to agency chief Jared Isaacman.
Russia launches 3 tons of cargo to the International Space Station from Kazakhstan (video)
Russia launched its latest Progress cargo ship toward the International Space Station from Baikonur Cosmodrome on Saturday (April 25).
