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NASA

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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA, pronounced /ˈnæsə/) is an agency of the United States government, responsible for the nation's public space program. NASA was established by the National Aeronautics and Space Act on July 29, 1958 from its predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). NASA has led U.S. efforts for space exploration ever since, resulting in the Apollo missions to the Moon, the Skylab space station, and later the Space Shuttle. Currently NASA is supporting the International Space Station and developing new Ares I and IV launch vehicles.

In addition to the space program, it is also responsible for long-term civilian and military aerospace research. NASA Science is focused on better understanding Earth itself through the Earth Observing System, advancing heliophysics through the efforts of the Science Mission Directorate's Heliophysics Research Program, exploring bodies throughout the Solar System with advanced robotic missions such as New Horizons, and researching astrophysics topics, such as the Big Bang, through the Great Observatories and associated programs. Since February 2006 NASA's self-described mission statement is to "pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research."

For more information about NASA, read the full article at Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.


News tagged with nasa

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Planet 51 Star Brings NASA's Message of Exploration Down to Earth

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Nov 20, 2009 | popularity 4 / 5 (2) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Actor Dwayne Johnson, usually known for his action and comedic film roles, takes to the stars as an astronaut in a new animated feature that brings important messages about the importance of space exploration ...


Astronauts await word of baby girl on Earth (AP)

Astronauts await word of baby girl on Earth

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Nov 20, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

(AP) -- Atlantis' astronauts anxiously awaited word on the birth of one crewman's daughter Friday, as they moved more supplies into the International Space Station and geared up for another spacewalk.


NASA Provides Venerable Hubble Hardware to Smithsonian

NASA Provides Venerable Hubble Hardware to Smithsonian

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Nov 19, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Two key instruments from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have a new home in the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington after being returned to Earth aboard space shuttle Atlantis ...


NASA Develops Algae Bioreactor as a Sustainable Energy Source

Chemistry / Other

created Nov 18, 2009 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (6) | comments 1

(PhysOrg.com) -- As a clean energy alternative, NASA invented an algae photo-bioreactor that grows algae in municipal wastewater to produce biofuel and a variety of other products.


In-orbit inspection scheduled for space shuttle (AP)

Astronauts inspect space shuttle in case of damage

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Nov 17, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 1

(AP) -- Space shuttle Atlantis' astronauts scoured their ship Tuesday for any signs of launch damage while pursuing the International Space Station.


Dawn Enters Asteroid Belt -- For Good

Dawn Enters Asteroid Belt -- For Good

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Nov 16, 2009 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (7) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA's Dawn spacecraft re-entered our solar system's asteroid belt today, Nov. 13, and this time it will stay there.


Space shuttle Atlantis lifts off on supply mission (AP)

Space shuttle Atlantis lifts off on supply mission

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Nov 16, 2009 | popularity 3.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Space shuttle Atlantis and its six-member crew began an 11-day delivery flight to the International Space Station on Monday with a 2:28 p.m. EST launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in ...


Ghostly 'Spokes' Puff Out From Saturn's Ring's

Ghostly 'Spokes' Puff Out From Saturn's Ring's (w/ Video)

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Nov 16, 2009 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (6) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Massive, bright clouds of tiny ice particles hover above the darkened rings of Saturn in an image captured by the Cassini spacecraft on Sept. 22, 2009, around the time of Saturn's equinox. ...


NASA fuels space shuttle Atlantis for liftoff (AP)

NASA fuels space shuttle Atlantis for liftoff

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Nov 16, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(AP) -- NASA is fueling space shuttle Atlantis for its afternoon liftoff.


Geeky 'tweeters' to report on space shuttle launch (AP)

Geeky 'tweeters' to report on space shuttle launch

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Nov 15, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(AP) -- Fingers will be flying when space shuttle Atlantis blasts off Monday: About 100 of NASA's geekiest fans will be on hand, pecking away at iPhones, BlackBerrys, laptops and other Twittering gadgets.


Students Send Microbe Experiment on Space Shuttle Atlantis

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Nov 13, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- An experiment by college students that will study how microbes grow in microgravity is heading to orbit aboard space shuttle Atlantis.


Goddard Team Develops New Carriers for ISS

Goddard Team Develops New Carriers for ISS

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Nov 13, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

In a partnership that exemplifies the One NASA theme, Goddard Space Flight Center engineers teamed up with the External Payloads Group at Johnson Space Center and the ISS Payload Ground Processing support ...


Atlantis Launch Countdown Begins Today

Atlantis Launch Countdown Begins Today

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Nov 13, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- At today's launch countdown status briefing held at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, managers reported space shuttle Atlantis, its payload and crew are ready for launch at 2:28 p.m. ...


LCROSS Impact Data Indicates Water on Moon

LCROSS Impact Finds Water on the Moon

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Nov 13, 2009 | popularity 4.9 / 5 (31) | comments 15

(PhysOrg.com) -- The argument that the moon is a dry, desolate place no longer holds water. Secrets the moon has been holding, for perhaps billions of years, are now being revealed to the delight of scientists ...


Discoveries in the Deep

Discoveries in the Deep

Space & Earth / Earth Sciences

created Nov 12, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Scientists from NASA and the Canadian Space Agency have been using Pavilion Lake as a testing ground for the future human exploration of other worlds.