NASA, the latest news from the US space agency

Famous NASA Logo
NASA's famous emblem. (Image credit: NASA)

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 about NASA

An artist's impression of the descent and landing sequence of ESA's Huygens probe onto the surface of Titan. The Jan. 14, 2005 landing was the culmination of a 22-year process of planning, organizing and cooperation between ESA and NASA.

On this day in space: Jan. 14, 2005: Huygens probe lands on Saturn's moon Titan

By Hanneke Weitering last updated

On January 14, 2005, a spacecraft landed on one of Saturn's moons!

Space Exploration
two white spacecraft are seen docked at different orientations on a space station, floating above Earth.

Watch Crew-11 astronauts undock in 1st-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station today

By Josh Dinner published

SpaceX's Crew-11 astronauts will leave the International Space Station today (Jan. 14) in the first-ever medical evacuation from the orbiting lab, and you can watch it live.

International Space Station
illustration of a small, faraway moon base on the hilly, crater-marked surface of the moon.

The US really wants a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2030. 'Achieving this future requires harnessing nuclear power,' NASA chief says

By Mike Wall published

NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy have firmed up their commitment to develop a nuclear reactor for use on the surface of the moon by 2030.

The moon
The astronauts of SpaceX's Crew-11 mission pose in the SpaceX spacesuits aboard the International Space Station ahead of their planned Jan. 14, 2026 undocking.

What time is SpaceX Crew-11's medical evacuation from the ISS on Jan. 14?

By Mike Wall published

The four astronauts of SpaceX's Crew-11 mission will leave the International Space Station on Jan. 14, in the first-ever medical evacuation from the orbital lab. Here are the details.

International Space Station
Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) leaves the Senate floor after speaking on Jan. 12, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Kelly spoke about the lawsuit he filed against United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's attempt to censure and demote him.

Former NASA astronaut Mark Kelly sues Pentagon, Pete Hegseth over censure campaign

By Mike Wall published

Former NASA astronaut and current U.S. Senator Mark Kelly is fighting back, suing the Pentagon for its plan to censure him over comments he made in a video late last year.

Human Spaceflight
An illustration of a Martian lander with hexagonal solar panels faced toward the top of the image and shooting off a small metal cylinder with a beam of yellow light headed for the top right of the image

Experts push back against cancellation of NASA's Mars sample return project

By Leonard David published

Exploration advocates are pushing back against the planned cancellation of NASA's Mars sample return project, saying it could potentially find evidence of Red Planet life.

Mars
ESA's Envision spacecraft should lift off to Venus in 2031

Will budget cuts force NASA to withdraw from Europe's next Venus mission?

By Tereza Pultarova published

"We are in constant contact with NASA."

Venus
An illustration of three different space telescopes, with various solar panel arrangements, over a colorful space background with red and green dust and stars

NASA funds new tech for upcoming 'Super Hubble' to search for alien life: 'We intend to move with urgency'

By Josh Dinner published

The observatory will combine tech from NASA's most powerful space telescopes.

Search for Life
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches NASA's Pandora exoplanet mission and about three dozen other payloads from California on Jan. 11, 2025, on a rideshare flight called "Twilight."

SpaceX launches NASA's Pandora exoplanet mission, 3 dozen other satellites (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched NASA's Pandora exoplanet mission and about three dozen other payloads early Sunday morning (Jan. 11) on a rideshare flight called "Twilight."

Launches & Spacecraft
Images depicting NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket are projected onto the Washington Monument as part of an event to kick off the nation's 250th birthday year, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

Moon fever hits DC as Artemis 2 rocket 'candle' lights up Washington Monument just 1 month before launch (photos)

By Elizabeth Howell published

The Washington Monument lit up on New Year's Eve in celebration of the Artemis 2 moon mission as well as the 250th anniversary year of the Declaration of Independence.

Human Spaceflight
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