Related topics: launch , international space station , astronauts , space shuttle discovery , space station



NASA

hide

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

results timeline


Fermi sees brightest-ever blazar flare

Fermi sees brightest-ever blazar flare

Space & Earth / Astronomy

created 13 hours ago | popularity 4.3 / 5 (9) | comments 3

(PhysOrg.com) -- A galaxy located billions of light-years away is commanding the attention of NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and astronomers around the globe. Thanks to a series of flares that began ...


NASA's WISE infrared satellite to reveal new galaxies, stars, asteroids

NASA's WISE infrared satellite to reveal new galaxies, stars, asteroids

Space & Earth / Astronomy

created Dec 04, 2009 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (6) | comments 2

(PhysOrg.com) -- Data from the satellite, says principal investigator and UCLA professor Edward Wright, will help scientists answer fundamental questions about the history of our solar system, the Milky Way ...


Prof gets messages from space

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Dec 08, 2009 | popularity 4.3 / 5 (6) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Barbara Frisken received several messages from outer space this year on her answering machine.


Sandtrapped Rover Makes a Big Discovery

Sandtrapped Rover Makes a Big Discovery

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Dec 03, 2009 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (54) | comments 11

Homer's Iliad tells the story of Troy, a city besieged by the Greeks in the Trojan War. Today, a lone robot sits besieged in the sands of Troy while engineers and scientists plot its escape.


 Further Tests Designed for Rover's Right-Rear Wheel

Further Tests Designed for Rover's Right-Rear Wheel

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Dec 08, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- A series of diagnostic tests on Spirit's right-rear wheel on sols 2104 and 2105 (Dec. 3 and 4) investigated stalls that occurred on Sol 2099 (Nov. 28) and earlier. The rover team cannot draw ...


NASA Global Precipitation Measurement Mission Passes Major Review

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Dec 08, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA's effort to deploy the first satellite mission to advance global precipitation observations from space moved closer to this goal when agency officials approved critical elements for the Global Precipitation ...


Ares I-X rocket

NASA puzzled why parachutes failed in rocket test

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Dec 03, 2009 | popularity 3.4 / 5 (5) | comments 3

(AP) -- NASA still isn't sure why two parachutes failed during a test flight of its prototype moon rocket just over a month ago.


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 ...


Steering the Ares Rockets on a Straight Path

Steering the Ares Rockets on a Straight Path

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Dec 04, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 1

(PhysOrg.com) -- The Ares I-X rocket stood more than 325 feet tall on the launch pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Spectators watched in awe as its massive solid rocket motor blazed to life with a thunderous ...


The International Space Station

NASA: Floating 'junk' no threat to space station

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Nov 28, 2009 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (3) | comments 0

(AP) -- NASA says a piece of old space junk that it's been tracking for a few days is no threat to the International Space Station.


Another Stall of Right-Rear Wheel Ends Drive

Rover Spirit: Another Stall of Right-Rear Wheel Ends Drive

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Dec 02, 2009 | popularity 2.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Spirit's right-rear wheel stalled again on Sol 2099 (Nov. 28, 2009) during the first step of a two-step extrication maneuver.


Nida getting knocked by winds, and 97W piquing interest

Nida getting knocked by winds, and 97W piquing interest

Space & Earth / Earth Sciences

created Dec 02, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Nida is now a tropical storm, and is being knocked around by wind shear in the Western Pacific. Satellite imagery has confirmed Nida's center of circulation is exposed and the storm is losing its circular ...


NASA Challenges 350 Rocketeers Nationwide to Aim a Mile High

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Dec 04, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 1

(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA has invited more than 350 student rocketeers from middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities -- 37 teams nationwide -- to take part in the 2009-2010 NASA Student Launch Projects.


Mars Reconnaissance Orbite

Mars Reconnaissance Orbite Team Plans Uplink of Protective Files

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Nov 25, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- The team operating NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter plans to uplink protective files to the spacecraft next week as one step toward resuming the orbiter's research and relay activities.


Success in 'space elevator' competition (AP)

Success in 'space elevator' competition (Update 3)

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Nov 05, 2009 | popularity 4.3 / 5 (36) | comments 54

(AP) -- A robot powered by a ground-based laser beam climbed a long cable dangling from a helicopter on Wednesday to qualify for prize money in a $2 million competition to test the potential reality of the ...