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
NASA's Mars exploration plans need 'paradigm shifts' to succeed, report finds
NASA has released a new document that highlights planned programmatic paradigm shifts in Mars exploration over the next 20 years.
Galaxy-size jet from monster black hole blasts mystery object in deep space (video)
Using NASA's Chandra X-ray telescope, astronomers witnessed a massive black hole jet slam into an unknown object in space.
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.
Panama, Austria sign Artemis Accords, bringing tally to 50 nations
A total of 50 nations have now joined NASA's efforts to establish peaceful and cooperative international space exploration.
'SALLY' at Sundance: NatGeo film to reveal 'hidden love' of 1st US woman in space
A documentary about the life and love of America's first woman in space will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. "SALLY," from National Geographic, reveals the legacy of astronaut Sally Ride.
Dramatic changes on Uranus, Neptune, Saturn and Jupiter revealed in 10 years of Hubble Telescope images (video)
The space agency has learned a lot over 10 years observing the weather of our solar system's outer planets.
'We are preparing to make history': NASA's Parker Solar Probe gears up for epic sun flyby on Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve, NASA's Parker Solar Probe will break its own records for speed and closest approach to the sun.
NASA tests high-tech software for future mission to search for life on Jupiter's moon Europa
NASA is developing autonomous software to recognize faults and hazards on worlds like Europa, and prevent or fix them without having to await commands from Earth.
'Our understanding of the universe may be incomplete': James Webb Space Telescope data suggests we need a 'new cosmic feature' to explain it all
'Hubble was right!' The largest cosmic survey from the James Webb Space Telescope indicates scientists may need another ingredient in their cosmic recipe.
