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
Astronauts 3D-print 1st metal part while on ISS
ESA scientists have successfully demonstrated 3D printing of a metal part in space for the first time.
'We just ran out of time': Boeing Starliner astronauts on why their spaceship returned to Earth without them
The decision to send Boeing's Starliner capsule home uncrewed from the ISS was driven in part by time constraints, according to NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore.
SpaceX Super Heavy rocket gets supersonic wind tunnel test for NASA's Artemis moon missions (photos)
A 1.2% scale model of SpaceX's Starship Super Heavy rocket underwent NASA wind tunnel testing, during which high-speed forced air simulated varying flight conditions.
Boeing’s Starliner astronauts speak publicly today for 1st time in 2 months: Watch it live
Boeing Starliner's historic first mission with astronauts did not turn out as planned. Starliner's 2 NASA astronauts will share their experiences from the ISS today (Sept. 13).
Tiny NASA satellite detects its 1st massive gamma ray burst
A NASA satellite designed to search for the universe's most powerful and violent explosions has successfully scouted its first burst, space agency officials announced earlier this week.
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.
NASA's Voyager 1 probe swaps thrusters in tricky fix as it flies through interstellar space
NASA's most distant spacecraft had a critical thruster problem far from home. Fixing it required a long-distance call to overcome extreme cold and dwindling power.
NASA astronaut, 2 cosmonauts arrive at ISS aboard Russian Soyuz capsule (video)
A Russian Soyuz spacecraft delivered NASA astronaut Don Pettit and two cosmonauts to the International Space Station today (Sept. 11), just three hours after lifting off.
