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
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
Latest about NASA
Artemis 2's Orion capsule goes into altitude chamber to prep for 2025 moon mission (photo)
Today, an altitude chamber. Next year, the moon.
Former Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides wins seat in US Congress
Former Virgin Galactic CEO and NASA Chief of Staff George Whitesides won his race to represent California's 27th district in the U.S. Congress.
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.
NASA dealing with aging ISS and spacewalk hardware: 'None of our spacesuits are spring chickens'
Crew-8 commander Matthew Dominick says NASA is carefully making decisions for astronaut safety while the ISS deals with a leak, and spacesuit issues, related to aging hardware.
Long ago, Voyager 2 might have caught Uranus at a bad time
A new analysis of Voyager 2 data reveals a fresh theory about Uranus's unique magnetosphere.
James Webb Space Telescope finds galaxies pointing toward a dark matter alternative
A new study suggests galaxies in the early universe appear much larger and brighter than expected, precisely as predicted by modified Newtonian dynamics, or MOND.
What a 2nd Trump administration could mean for NASA and space exploration
Former President Donald J. Trump's return to the White House next January will likely bring big changes to NASA's Artemis program and a renewed sense of urgency to a crewed landing on the moon.
The US is now at risk of losing to China in the race to send people back to the Moon’s surface
In all, 12 Americans landed on the lunar surface between 1969 and 1972. Now, both the US and China are preparing to send humans back there this decade.
