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
Watch SpaceX Crew-9 astronauts move Crew Dragon spacecraft to new ISS parking spot on Nov. 3
Live coverage begins at 6:15 a.m. EST (1015 GMT).
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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.
'Boo Deng' steals the show at NASA JPL's annual pumpkin carving contest (photos)
The bright minds at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory never disappoint with the clever creations at the lab's annual pumpkin carving contest.
Satellites watch devastating floods in Spain from space (photos)
Valencia was particularly hard-hit.
X-class Halloween solar flare erupts from sun, causes radio blackouts (video)
The sun erupted with an X-class solar flare on Halloween, and solar activity is expected to remain high through Nov. 3.
Explore Jupiter's icy ocean moon Europa in NASA virtual tour (photos)
Thanks to images from various NASA spacecraft, we can get an up-close look at the Jupiter ocean moon Europa long before the agency's Europa Clipper probe arrives.
Perseverance rover watches 'googly eye' solar eclipse from Mars (video)
NASA's Perseverance Mars rover was treated to a 'googly eye' solar eclipse on Sept. 30 as the planet's moon Phobos passed in front of the sun.
