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
NASA must 'consider alternatives' to put Artemis astronauts on the moon, experts tell US Congress
Space policy experts told U.S. Congress that NASA must consider alternatives to its current plan to return astronauts to the moon with the Artemis program.
Private Blue Ghost lander sees far side of the moon in breathtaking detail ahead of lunar landing (video)
Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lunar lander has beamed home stunning views of the moon from an altitude of just 62 miles (100 kilometers).
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 set to deliver a knock-out PUNCH to mysteries of the solar wind
A new mission designed to better understand the heliosphere will be the first to map in three dimensions how the solar corona becomes the solar wind.
NASA launching its SPHEREx and PUNCH space missions on March 2 after delay: How to watch live
NASA launching its SPHEREx and PUNCH space missions on March 2 at 10:09 p.m. ET.
SpaceX rocket launches private moon lander and NASA 'trailblazer' to hunt for lunar water (video)
SpaceX launched a double moon mission today (Feb. 26), sending a private lunar lander and a NASA orbiter to hunt for signs of water on Earth's nearest neighbor.
NASA leadership shakeup continues as agency settles into Trump's 2nd term
Among other changes, Vanessa Wyche, who previously led Johnson Space Center, has been named NASA's acting associate administrator.
How to watch Intuitive Machines shoot for the moon with daring lunar lander launch for NASA tonight
Intuitive Machines is poised to launch its second lunar lander in as many years, marking a significant milestone in commercial space exploration.
