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

giant space launch system rocket on launch pad at sunset

NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission: Live updates

By Tariq Malik published

See the latest news about NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission here.

The bottom of the Artemis 1 moon rocket with technicians working on its fuel lines

NASA's Artemis 1 moon rocket launch hinges on critical fueling test on Sept. 21

By Tariq Malik published

A fueling test of NASA's new megarocket on Sept. 21 could make or break the agency's hopes of launching the Artemis 1 moon mission on Sept. 27.

The bottom of the Artemis 1 moon rocket with technicians working on its fuel lines

NASA replaces leaky seals on Artemis 1 moon rocket, fueling test next

By Tariq Malik published

NASA engineers replaced leaky seals on two fuel lines for its Artemis 1 moon rocket, setting the stage for a critical fueling test.

giant space launch system rocket on launch pad and cloudy sky

Fuel leak delays NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission launch

By Tariq Malik published

A fuel leak forced NASA to call off its second attempt to launch the Artemis 1 moon mission on Saturday (Sept. 3).

NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission is scheduled to launch on Sept. 3, 2022.

NASA battles fuel leak for Artemis 1 moon rocket launch

By Tariq Malik published

NASA engineers are working to stem a fuel leak on its massive new moon rocket ahead of a critical test flight on Saturday (Sept. 3).

Vice President Kamala Harris with NASA astronauts and Orion spacecraft

VP Kamala Harris: Artemis 1 moon mission a 'test of pure innovation'

By Tariq Malik published

NASA's Artemis moon program is the next giant leap for America's space program, one all Americans should be proud of, Vice President Kamala Harris said this week.

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B.

Weather looks good for Artemis 1 moon rocket's 2nd launch try, NASA says

By Tariq Malik published

NASA says the weather is looking good for the second attempt to launch its giant Artemis 1 SLS moon rocket and Orion spacecraft.

artemis 1 rocket lifting off from launch pad in illustration

How to watch NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission launch live in a 360-degree VR experience

By Elizabeth Howell published

"Artemis Ascending" will use virtual reality to let participants feel like they're beside the Artemis 1 mission as it lifts off no earlier than Saturday (Sept. 3).

huge artemis 1 rocket on the launch pad at night

What time is NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission launch?

By Tariq Malik published

NASA's Artemis 1 SLS rocket launch to the moon is scheduled to launch on Sept. 3, but could slip to Sept. 5 due to weather or glitches.

Art from NASA's comic book titled, "The Adventures of Commander Moonikin Campos and Friends"

Join Artemis 1's Commander Moonikin Campos on his lunar voyage in NASA's free comic book

By Jeff Spry published

NASA delivers a free online Artemis 1 comic book titled, "The Adventures of Commander Moonikin Campos and Friends."

nasa administrator bill nelson in a suit shakes hands with vice president kamala harris in a pink blazer

VP Harris and NASA chief unconcerned by Artemis 1 launch delay

By Elizabeth Howell published

Vice President Kamala Harris highlighted the decades of work it took Artemis 1 to get this far, while NASA's Bill Nelson said the agency will address the issue that led to the scrub Monday (Aug. 29).

aerial view rocket in distance

NASA's Artemis 1 moon rocket faces stormy skies in incredible aerial photos

By Josh Dinner published

Space.com took to the skies to get you one last look at SLS before it blasts off Monday morning.

black and white view of artemis 1 on the launch pad seen from above

See NASA's Artemis 1 moon rocket on the launch pad from space in Planet satellite video

By Elizabeth Howell published

The orbiting SkySat from Planet Labs saw the moon megarocket sitting on the pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center just ahead of launch Monday (Aug. 29).

lightning strikes a lightning tower to the right of a big red rocket

These NASA photos of lightning strikes at the Artemis 1 moon rocket launch pad are amazing

By Elizabeth Howell published

Bolts of lightning struck several lightning towers surrounding the Artemis 1 mega moon rocket Saturday (Aug. 27), and there are epic photos showing just how it looked.

nasa megarocket on launch pad with clouds behind

Weather looks good for Artemis 1 moon mission launch, NASA says

By Tariq Malik published

It looks like Mother Nature may cooperate for NASA's historic Artemis 1 megarocket moon launch on Aug. 29.

nasa space launch system giant rocket on launch pad with clouds in background sky

NASA's begins countdown for Artemis 1 moon mission launch

By Tariq Malik published

The countdown is ready to begin for NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission with the SLS megarocket and Orion spacecraft.

Four Lego minifigures in orange spacesuits

Lego Education, NASA launch interactive 'Build to Launch' exhibit for Artemis 1 moon mission

By Brett Tingley published

Lego is teaming up with NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida to bring a unique hands-on building and learning experience to the Artemis 1 launch scheduled for Monday (Aug. 29).

huge artemis 1 rocket on the launch pad at night

NASA's Artemis 1 mission closes the hatch on the Orion spacecraft

By Elizabeth Howell published

NASA's mega moon mission continues pushing for a Monday (Aug. 29) launch opportunity, as the lunar spacecraft gets buttoned up for liftoff.

clunky bootprint in lunar dust

Moon exploration site preservation remains uncertain as Artemis era begins

By Greg Uyeno published

Without care, lunar missions could endanger the historic sites of prior human exploration.

A zoomed-in view of NASA's Artemis 1 stack on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, as seen by Maxar Technologies' WorldView-3 satellite on Aug. 25, 2022.

NASA's Artemis 1 moon rocket spotted from space (satellite photos)

By Mike Wall published

A satellite has given us stunning bird's-eye views of NASA's towering Artemis 1 moon rocket, just a few days before the huge vehicle leaves Earth.