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
How does NASA handle astronaut medical issues in space?
NASA just postponed a spacewalk because of a medical concern with an astronaut. Here's how the agency has handled such issues in the past.
NASA considering bringing astronauts home early from International Space Station due to medical issue
NASA is evaluating its options for dealing with an astronaut health issue in orbit, one of which is an early end to SpaceX's Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station.
NASA postpones Jan. 8 spacewalk due to 'medical concern' with an astronaut
NASA has postponed a planned Jan. 8 spacewalk outside the International Space Station due to a "medical concern" with an unnamed crew member.
NASA Perseverance rover sees megaripples on Mars | Space photo of the day for Jan. 7, 2026.
Another view from Perseverance shows how windswept Mars' landscape truly is.
Winning the Red Planet race: Returning Mars samples before China should be a top US priority, experts say
"The Chinese may well beat the U.S. with a grab sample."
NASA's Curiosity rover sends stunning new panorama from high on Mars' Mount Sharp
The image was captured in November 2025, showing how lighting changes throughout the day on Mars.
Hubble telescope discovers a new type of cosmic object and astronomers are on 'Cloud 9'
"This is a tale of a failed galaxy."
Congress rejects President Trump's deep NASA budget cuts, proposes $24.4 billion for the agency
Congress plans to allocate $24.4 billion to NASA for fiscal year 2026, nearly $6 billion more than President Trump had proposed.
