Wendy Whitman Cobb

NASA administrators play a vital role in deciding what NASA does and how it does it, and they also help build political support for space exploration.

The Air Force general overseeing North American airspace refused to rule out extraterrestrial forces at play after unidentified objects were shot down in February.

Russia's announcement, while not a breach of any agreement or an immediate threat to the station's daily operation, does mark the culmination of months of political tensions involving the ISS.

Organized and funded by entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, the Inspiration4 mission touts itself as "the first all-civilian mission to orbit" and represents a new type of space tourism.

For most people, getting to the stars is nothing more than a dream.

The U.S. Space Force has a serious role to play in the modern world. Its stated mission is to train and equip personnel to defend U.S. interests in space.

China just became the first country to land a probe on the far side of the moon. It's a technological achievement and another sign of China's capabilities and ambitions in space.

These types of missions are one way to achieve international prestige. But they also peacefully demonstrate capabilities that could be used in conflict.

Women have been historically excluded from the space program but getting a woman to the Moon may change that.

George H.W. Bush's presidency came at a key turning point in NASA's history and ultimately contributed to the success of the International Space Station, NASA leadership and today's space policy.