Orion Spacecraft

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 Updates

The Orion spacecraft that will fly to the moon and back in a few month's time is ready for integration with the Space Launch System rocket.

Orion spacecraft: NASA's next-gen capsule to take astronauts beyond Earth orbit

By Elizabeth Howell published

Reference Learn about the spacecraft's interior and its key role in lunar missions during the 2020s, including planned moon landings.

NASA's Artemis 1 mission, stacked at the launch pad ready for testing, as seen from space by the Pléiades Neo satellite, operated by the European aerospace company Airbus.

NASA's new moon rocket spotted from space rolling to the launch pad (photos)

By Chelsea Gohd published

NASA's moonbound rocket rolled to the launch pad, and satellites orbiting Earth captured the milestone from space.

The first Apollo Saturn V, the 500-F facilities demonstrator, and NASA's first Space Launch System (SLS) rocket roll out from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida 56 years apart. Both moves were in preparation for propellant loading tests on their respective launchpads.

Rocket rollout: How NASA's first Artemis Space Launch System move stacks up against Saturn V

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

"It was a sight unseen before by mankind." That was how NASA described the first rollout of a Saturn V rocket. "Spaceport News" could reuse that lede for the first Space Launch System booster.

Artist's conception of a Space Launch System (SLS) launch

Space Launch System: NASA's megarocket for Artemis moon missions

By Nola Taylor Tillman published

Reference NASA's Space Launch System aims to carry humans far beyond Earth.

The Orion spacecraft for NASA’s Artemis I mission, fully assembled with its launch abort system, is lifted above the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket in High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 20, 2021.

Watch NASA's huge SLS rocket for the Artemis 1 moon mission come together in this epic time-lapse video

By Mike Wall published

A newly released time-lapse video shows the stacking of the huge Space Launch System rocket that will launch NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission in the coming months.

The Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) for NASA's Artemis 2 mission arrived at the Space Coast on July 28, 2021. It is undergoing final preparations at prime contractors Boeing and United Launch Alliance's facilities and will soon be delivered to nearby Kennedy Space Center.

NASA getting SLS megarockets ready for crewed moon missions

By Elizabeth Howell published

The first SLS mission, an uncrewed flight around the moon, is scheduled to launch in March. Crewed missions are slated to follow in 2024 and 2025.

The SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft for NASA's Artemis 1 mission as seen inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Dec. 13, 2021.

NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission slips to spring 2022 after engine issue

By Meghan Bartels published

Rocket woes have again delayed NASA's return to the moon.

The Orion spacecraft for NASA’s Artemis I mission, fully assembled with its launch abort system, is lifted above the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket in High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Oct. 20, 2021.

NASA targets February launch for Artemis 1 mission on its 1st first moon rocket since Apollo

By Amy Thompson published

An uncrewed Orion capsule could ride the first Space Launch System megarocket as early as Feb. 12, 2022. But a lot has to go right.

The Orion crew capsule for NASA's Artemis 1 mission is stacked atop its Space Launch System rocket at Kennedy Space Center on Oct. 20, 2021.

NASA stacks Orion capsule atop SLS megarocket for Artemis 1 moon mission (video)

By Mike Wall published

NASA stacked its Orion capsule atop a Space Launch System megarocket yesterday (Oct. 20), notching a major milestone for the agency and its Artemis program of crewed lunar exploration.

artemis 1 orion capsule

NASA prepares 1st moonbound Orion spacecraft to receive its launch abort system

By Elizabeth Howell published

The Orion capsule is one step closer to returning to space, this time for a moon mission.

A test version of NASA's Orion spacecraft splashes into the Hydro Impact Basin at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, at 2:02 p.m. EDT (1802 GMT) on April 6, 2021.

NASA just dropped an Orion space capsule into a pool for science

By Hanneke Weitering published

NASA made a splash today (April 6) by dropping a test version of its Orion crew capsule for future moon missions into a big pool.

An artist's illustration of NASA's Orion crew capsule heading to the moon.

NASA's inspector general raises questions with cost management of Orion spacecraft

By Leonard David published

The OIG determined that Orion, the next-gen capsule that will carry NASA astronauts to the moon and other deep-space destinations, has continued to experience cost increases and schedule delays.

The four RS-25 rocket engines of NASA's Space Launch System rocket take center stage in this photo. NASA has ordered 18 new engines for its Artemis moon program.

NASA orders 18 more engines for its Space Launch System megarocket

By Tariq Malik published

NASA has ordered 18 more rocket engines for its new Space Launch System megarocket for future Artemis moon missions.

The Orion spacecraft, secured atop a transporter in its shipping container, is carried to the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 25, 2020. The spacecraft was transported to Kennedy in NASA’s Super Guppy aircraft from the agency’s Plum Brook Station in Ohio.

NASA's Orion crew capsule arrives in Florida to prep for test flight around moon (photo)

By Mike Wall published

A NASA Orion crew capsule has made it to its Florida launch site ahead of a landmark 2021 mission around the moon.

NASA's Super Guppy transport plane, with the Orion crew capsule inside, on the ground at Mansfield Lahm Airport in Ohio on Nov. 24, 2019. Orion will undergo a series of tests at NASA’s Plum Brook Station.

NASA's Orion Capsule Takes a Ride on the 'Super Guppy' (Photos, Video)

By Mike Wall published

NASA's Orion spacecraft just took a ride on one of the weirdest airplanes in the world.

The Orion capsule shown here will make NASA's first Artemis mission, an uncrewed test flight to the moon.

NASA Orders More Orion Spaceships for the Artemis Moon Missions

By Elizabeth Howell published

NASA recently tasked a company to open production on the spacecraft that will bring astronauts to the moon as part of the Artemis program.

A part of the Orion spacecraft abort system is one step closer to human spaceflight following a 30-second "trial by fire."

Watch NASA's Orion Escape Motor Pass a Critical 'Trial-By-Fire' Test (Video)

By Elizabeth Howell published

A part of the Orion spacecraft abort system is one step closer to ready following a 30-second "trial by fire."

The Orion spacecraft's main rocket engine aced a propulsion system test on Aug. 5, 2019.

The Rocket Engine for NASA's New Orion Spacecraft Just Aced a Critical Test (Video)

By Chelsea Gohd published

On Aug. 5, 2019, the Orion spacecraft's main engine successfully completed a critical propulsion test.

A test verision of Orion launches on NASA’s Ascent Abort-2 (AA-2) flight test on a Northrop Grumman provided booster on July 2, 2019.

Take a Wild Ride on NASA's Orion Abort Test with This Stunning Video

By Elizabeth Howell published

Wanna fly like Superman? With an incredible new camera view, you can get a rare mid-air perspective and watch a spacecraft streaking through the atmosphere.

NASA astronauts Tracy Caldwell Dyson (lower left) and Stephanie Wilson (lower right) worked on board the International Space Station in April 2010.

Who Will Be the First Woman on the Moon?

By Chelsea Gohd published

These are NASA's choices.