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
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
Latest about NASA
No, Boeing Starliner's NASA astronauts are not stranded in space. Here's why.
Boeing Starliner's historic 1st astronaut mission has been extended repeatedly for thruster troubleshooting. But its two astronauts are not stuck on the ISS.
Space pictures! See our space image of the day
Space.com's image of the day rounds up the most awe-inspiring space photos right here, with a new image everyday.
Astronaut traveling to Titan loses his grip on reality in 1st 'Slingshot' trailer (video)
The first trailer lands for Bleecker Street's new psychological sci-fi feature, "Slingshot."
NASA's DART asteroid impact mission revealed ages of twin space rock targets (images)
Scientists have analyzed images of the twin asteroids Didymos and Dimorphous taken by NASA's DART mission before it impacted the smaller space rock, revealing their age and origins.
Boeing's Starliner tests thrusters at ISS as NASA reviews options for astronauts' return to Earth
Crew Flight Test and its NASA astronauts have spent more than 50 days in space ISS after helium leaks and thruster issues.
'That was a really wild experience': How brand-new NASA astronaut Andre Douglas joined Artemis 2 moon mission (exclusive)
Andre Douglas became eligible for NASA spaceflights in March. Weeks later, the NASA astronaut learned he would back up the next mission to fly humans around the moon.
What it takes to keep NASA's flagship Chandra observatory flying for a quarter century
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the flagship Chandra X-ray observatory, NASA released a behind-the-scenes look at the work it takes to keep the $1.5 billion telescope flying in space.
NASA astronauts hold their own Summer Olympics in space (video)
NASA astronauts held their own mini-Olympics on the International Space Station to mark the start of the Summer Games here on Earth.
SpaceX moving Crew Dragon splashdowns to West Coast after multiple space debris incidents
The four astronauts flying aboard SpaceX Crew Dragon are supposed to launch no earlier than Aug. 18 and splash down near Florida. Future crews will go to the west coast due to space junk concerns.
