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
NASA's Artemis 2 mission: Everything you need to know
Reference Artemis 2 is the second scheduled flight of the Artemis program and the first crewed Artemis mission that will send four astronauts around the moon.
NASA delays Artemis 2 moon launch to March after encountering issues during fueling test
NASA has delayed its Artemis 2 moon launch until March at the earliest, after encountering some issues during a key prelaunch exercise known as a wet dress rehearsal.
NASA fuels up giant Artemis 2 moon rocket. Yes, it's a little leaky. So is it ready to fly?
NASA fully fueled its Artemis 2 moon rocket during a crucial test today (Feb. 2) but had to pause the operation twice due to leaks. Will the agency still try to launch on Feb. 8?
'I hope they forget all about Artemis 2': Moon astronauts are taking the long view
NASA's upcoming Artemis 2 moon mission is historic, but it's designed to pave the way for even bigger things.
On this day in space: Feb. 2, 1967: U.S. Air Force launches Keyhole-7 spy satellite
On Feb. 2, 1967, the U.S. Air Force launched a top-secret surveillance satellite called Keyhole 7-36 (KH-7).
Watch NASA fuel up its Artemis 2 moon rocket today in critical prelaunch test
NASA will conduct a crucial fueling test with its Artemis 2 moon rocket today (Feb. 2), and you can watch the action live.
'Back to the Moon': Artemis 2 astronauts land on Time magazine cover, a callback to Apollo 8 history
While the world awaits the first crewed moon mission in more than 50 years, Time magazine is celebrating the momentous event with a special Artemis 2 cover issue that hit newsstands on Jan. 30.
From a new flagship space telescope to lunar exploration, global cooperation – and competition – will make 2026 an exciting year for space
Coming from one of the world's largest astrophysical research institutes, I can tell you, the anticipation across the global space science community is electric.
