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
How to watch Jared Isaacman's NASA chief confirmation hearing in the Senate today
Trump officially nominated Isaacman, a billionaire private astronaut to lead NASA, shortly after taking office.
How Trump's tariffs could shake up the global space industry
Trump-era trade policies could reshape the global space economy, straining transatlantic ties and pushing Europe toward new partnerships and greater autonomy.
NASA's in a 'weird period' right now, acting chief Janet Petro says
Acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro says that these are strange times for the space agency.
Bangladesh becomes 54th nation to join NASA's Artemis Accords for 'peaceful exploration of deep space'
Bangladesh has added its name to the growing list of Artemis Accords signatories, continuing NASA's efforts to establish internationally cooperative space exploration.
South Korea is converting an abandoned coal mine into a moon exploration testing ground
South Korea conducted a test inside the former Hamtae mine in late March, deploying prototype moon rovers equipped with tech that could be used in space mining.
NASA's Jonny Kim and 2 cosmonauts arrive at ISS aboard Russian Soyuz spacecraft (video)
The Russian Soyuz spacecraft carrying NASA astronaut Jonny Kim and his two cosmonaut colleagues arrived at the International Space Station early Tuesday morning (April 8).
Watch Soyuz rocket launch new US-Russian crew to the ISS early April 8
A Russian Soyuz rocket will launch three astronauts toward the International Space Station early Tuesday morning (April 8), and you can watch the action live.
NASA website removes 'First Woman' graphic novel — but here's where you can still find it
The interactive female astronaut series was created to inspire a new generation of space explorers.
