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
SpaceX targets Sept. 23 for launch of NASA's IMAP mission to map the boundaries of our solar system
A SpaceX Falcon 9 launch on Sept. 23 will send three spacecraft a million miles from Earth to map the heliosphere and expand our understanding of space weather and atmospheric science.
NASA to reveal new Perseverance Mars rover discovery on Sept. 10: How to watch live
NASA's hosting a teleconference on Wednesday (Sept. 10) to discuss a new rock analysis from the Perseverance Mars rover. Here's how to tune in.
Astronauts capture amazing views of the total lunar eclipse from the ISS (photos)
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station captured great shots of the total lunar eclipse over the weekend.
Small black holes are surprisingly messy eaters, Japanese spacecraft discovers: 'Being surprised is good'
It isn't just supermassive black holes that are messy eaters. Using a Japanese space telescope called XRISM, scientists have found that small black holes are a "hot mess," too.
Does the nearby exoplanet TRAPPIST-1e support life? New James Webb Space Telescope data could help us find out
The James Webb Space Telescope has investigated the "Goldilocks zone" planet TRAPPIST-1e to search for a potential atmosphere and hints of habitability.
Scientists capture interstellar invader comet 3I/ATLAS growing a tail: 'This image is both a scientific milestone and a source of wonder' (photo, video)
Astronomers have captured a stunning new image of the interstellar intruder 3I/ATLAS, seeing its growing tail and glowing coma.
SpaceX launches Starlink satellites, lands Falcon rocket for 500th time (video)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched 28 Starlink internet satellites from Florida on Friday (Sept. 5), then landed safely at sea. It was the 500th successful Falcon touchdown to date.
NASA Perseverance rover spies a 'turtle' on Mars | Space photo of the day for Sept. 5, 2025
A recent close-up shows a turtle-shaped rock on the surface of Mars, captured by NASA's Perseverance rover.
