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
We've officially found 6,000 exoplanets, NASA says: 'We're entering the next great chapter of exploration'
"There's one we haven't found — a planet just like ours. At least, not yet."
Will the International Space Station be replaced before its fiery death in 2030?
NASA plans to send the ISS into Earth's atmosphere in 2030, and it has no plans for a replacement — at least, not directly.
'We're really on a different trajectory': How NASA's Artemis moon missions aim to prepare us for Mars
NASA is working on finding landing sites for future moon astronauts. Part of the work includes thinking about how to prepare for eventual Mars missions with astronauts.
'We have to fully fund NASA': Lawmaker joins space agency employees in protest outside DC headquarters
Chants of "Save NASA!" echoed through downtown Washington, D.C., Monday (Sept. 15) as agency workers and supporters rallied outside NASA headquarters.
A close shave on the ISS | Space photo of the day for Sept. 16, 2025
Even though they're far from home, astronauts on the International Space Station still have normal routines, including getting regular haircuts.
We can finally predict when Mars' skies will glow green with auroras, scientists say
"The fact that we captured the aurora again demonstrates that our method for predicting aurorae on Mars and capturing them works."
Are 'little red dots' seen by the James Webb Space Telescope actually elusive 'black hole stars'?
The mystery of the James Webb Space Telescope's "little red dots" could be solved if they are not ancient galaxies but are entirely new celestial objects called "black hole stars."
50 years ago, NASA sent 2 spacecraft to search for life on Mars – the Viking missions' findings are still discussed today
Viking consisted of two twin orbiters and landers, with experimental chambers in the landers to conduct three biology experiments.
