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
Watch 31st SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule arrive at the ISS today
Dragon is scheduled to arrive at 10:15 a.m. EST.
How do you vote from space? NASA astronauts cast 2024 election ballots from ISS
If they can manage to vote from space, you can sure manage to get to your polling place to cast a ballot of your own.
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's 15-year-old NEOWISE asteroid hunter meets fiery doom by burning up in Earth's atmosphere
Microgravity makes water do weird and wonderful things. NASA astronaut Don Pettit took advantage of that fact to create a colorful ball that resembles Jupiter.
Jupiter's moons hide giant subsurface oceans − Europa Clipper is one of 2 missions on their way to see if these moons could support life
Jupiter has dozens of moons. Four of them in particular are of interest to planetary scientists.
SpaceX Crew-9 astronauts, including Boeing Starliner crew, fly Dragon spacecraft to new ISS parking spot (video)
Four astronauts moved their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to a new space station docking port on Sunday (Nov. 3) to make way for an incoming cargo ship.
Space isn’t all about the 'race' – rival superpowers must work together for a better future
What is this latest “space race” about, and are there pathways to common ground? History suggests these do exist. As a space governance specialist, I argue our future depends on it.
NASA astronaut captures city lights streaking below ISS in stunning new photos
Microgravity makes water do weird and wonderful things. NASA astronaut Don Pettit took advantage of that fact to create a colorful ball that resembles Jupiter.
