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
Japan's Resilience moon lander views Earth's most remote region from orbit (photo)
The second lunar lander from Japanese space exploration company ispace snapped a stunning image of the Earth as it prepares for its journey to the moon.
'SALLY' premieres at Sundance with Sally Ride's family, astronaut in audience
National Geographic premiered "SALLY," Cristina Costantini's new documentary about the first U.S. woman in space and her untold love, at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah on Tuesday (Jan. 28).
Watch NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore perform spacewalk outside the ISS today (video)
NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are scheduled to begin U.S. Spacewalk 92 early Jan. 30.
Trump asks Elon Musk to return 2 Starliner astronauts from the ISS for NASA — but they already have a SpaceX ride home
President Trump just asked Elon Musk to retrieve two NASA astronauts from the International Space Station. But the duo are already slated to come home with SpaceX this spring.
NASA X-ray telescope Chandra discovers black holes 'blow' on their food to cool it down
Observations from NASA's Chandra X-ray telescope and the VLT have revealed jets blasting from supermassive black holes cause gas to cool and fall toward them in a cosmic feeding process.
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.
Astronaut Hall of Fame to honor Bernard Harris and Peggy Whitson in May
The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame will honor its 2025 class of inductees, record-setting space travelers Peggy Whitson and Bernard Harris, at a public ceremony in Florida this spring.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope mission — Live updates
Read the latest news about NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.
