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
Private Blue Ghost lander spotted on the moon by NASA lunar orbiter (photo)
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter captured an exciting view of Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander following its recent touchdown on the moon.
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 switches off Voyager instruments to extend life of the two interstellar spacecraft 'Every day could be our last.'
NASA engineers are turning off two instruments on Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 to ensure these twin spacecraft can continue exploring interstellar space.
The US will 'plant the American flag on the planet Mars and even far beyond,' Trump tells Congress
President Donald Trump told lawmakers that U.S. astronauts will one day carry the American flag to Mars and beyond during a speech before the joint session of Congress.
Mystery solved! Odd X-ray signal was 'death knell' of planet destroyed by zombie star (video)
An X-ray signal that has puzzled scientists for 45 years was the "death knell" of a planet ripped apart by a white dwarf star, data from NASA's Chandra observatory has revealed.
NASA delays launch of SPHEREx and PUNCH missions to March 7
NASA is now launching its SPHEREx and PUNCH space missions on March 6 at 10:09 p.m. ET.
'Stuck' NASA astronauts on ISS grilled on Earthly politics as long 9-month mission nears end. 'From my standpoint, politics is not playing into this at all.'
Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will return to Earth this month after an unexpectedly long stay aboard the International Space Station — one that has become politically charged here on Earth.
India's Aditya-L1 solar probe watches powerful flare erupt from the sun
India's Aditya-L1 spacecraft captured detailed observations of a powerful solar flare last year, helping scientists better understand our star's eruptions.
