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
1 week away! NASA gearing up to launch Artemis 2 astronauts around the moon on April 1
The launch of the first crewed moon mission since the Apollo era is just a week away! NASA is preparing to launch its Artemis 2 flight on April 1.
NASA's lunar Gateway space station is out. Moon bases are in
NASA is honing its focus on future Artemis missions to land astronauts on the moon, removing the Gateway space station from its plans and prioritizing bases on the lunar surface.
Arriving safely on Venus and Titan: Different atmospheres affect heat shields differently, study shows
Heat shields keep incoming spacecraft from burning up in planetary atmospheres. Now we're learning that different atmospheres have different effects.
NASA announcing update to Artemis moon plans today: Watch it live
NASA will hold a series of events today (March 24) that update us on the agency's plans for the moon and more, and you can watch them live.
Russian cargo spacecraft suffers glitch after launching toward International Space Station
Russia's Progress 94 cargo spacecraft did not deploy one of its docking antennas as planned after launching toward the ISS on Sunday (March 22), complicating plans for its arrival.
We chat with legendary space shuttle commander Eileen Collins about her new documentary, 'Spacewoman' (interview)
A brand new feature-length documentary showcases the inspirational accomplishments of pioneering astronaut Eileen Collins.
Artemis Accords nations grapple with how to handle emergencies and 'harmful interference' on the moon
As moon missions accelerate, countries are working to define how to respond to emergencies and avoid interference between competing operations.
Artemis 2 moon rocket rolls back to launch pad | Space photo of the day for March 20, 2026
NASA's Space Launch System rocket was back on the move overnight ahead of its second mission to the moon, which will be the first time the vehicle carries a crew.
