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
Russia launching 3 tons of cargo to the space station today: Watch it live
Russia plans to launch the Progress 96 cargo mission to the International Space Station today (Sept. 16), and you can watch the action live.
Making rocket fuel out of Mars' thin air: New breakthrough could make it happen
By making fuel on the Red Planet rather than bringing it from Earth, a Mars mission could save vital mass.
International Observe the Moon Night 2026 is on Sept. 19: Here's how to join in
International Observe the Moon Night 2026 occurs on Sept. 19 as the lunar disk is well placed for exploring its craters, mountains and ancient lava plains.
'If I wanted to go to space, I would have stayed at NASA': What's next for Artemis II astronaut Victor Glover after his mission to the moon
Former NASA astronaut and Artemis II pilot Victor Glover is stepping away from his space agency duties to take on a new role — executive advisor to the president of Cal Poly University.
NASA astronaut Jessica Meir shares zero-G curly hair tips from the ISS (video)
In a great moment for curly-haired folks around the world, NASA astronaut Jessica Meir just shared some styling tips from the ISS.
James Webb Space Telescope discovers the rings of tiny solar system body Chariklo are changing
Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have discovered that the ring system of the tiny solar system body is even more interesting than they knew.
NASA, IBM launch new AI model for studying the moon
NASA and IBM have developed an AI model to help sift through the mountains of data the agency has gathered about the moon.
Rocket Lab protests NASA's decision to award Blue Origin $700 million Mars orbiter contract
Rocket Lab has filed a protest against NASA's decision to award Blue Origin a $700 million Mars orbiter contract, saying it's inconsistent with the eligibility rules laid out by Congress.
