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
Private mission to save NASA space telescope will launch in 2026 on a rocket dropped from a plane
Katalyst Space Technologies will use Northrop Grumman's air-launched Pegasus rocket for its upcoming mission, which will send a spacecraft to boost the orbit of NASA's Swift space telescope.
Watch NASA unveil new images of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS live today. Here's how
The big reveal will come Wednesday (Nov. 19) at 3 p.m. ET.
Scientists just discovered a new crater on the moon — they call it a 'freckle'
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera has identified a never-before-seen crater on the moon's surface.
Will Europe's flagship space science missions survive NASA's budget cuts?
NASA budget cuts proposed by President Donald Trump will cause a significant funding shortfall to Europe's space science missions. But the European Space Agency hopes it can save them.
FAA lifts ban on daytime rocket launches after government shutdown ends
Now that daytime launches can resume, expect SpaceX to pick up the pace of its Starlink launches.
SpaceX Starship timeline delays astronaut moon landing for NASA's Artemis 3 mission to 2028: Report
At this rate, Starship will not be ready in time for NASA's schedule.
Maryland lawmakers demand answers for NASA changes at Goddard Space Flight Center
Lawmakers are demanding answers from NASA about unexplained building closures and workforce losses at the Goddard Space Flight Center during the government shutdown.
Next stop, not Mars: Why NASA's twin ESCAPADE probes are taking the long way to the Red Planet after Blue Origin launch
NASA's twin ESCAPADE Mars probes are on their way to the Red Planet — but it's a circuitous route with a year-long layover.
