[IMAGE PLACEHOLDER: NASA Logo / Kennedy Space Center / Rocket Launch]
NASA continues to lead humanity's exploration of space and scientific discovery
Quick Facts
Established
July 29, 1958
Headquarters
Washington, D.C.
Administrator
Bill Nelson (2021-present)
Annual Budget
$25.4 billion (FY 2026)
Employees
~18,000 civil servants
Contractors
~40,000+ additional personnel
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space science. Since its establishment in 1958, NASA has led American space exploration efforts and made groundbreaking discoveries about our universe.
Current Major Missions
Artemis Program (Moon Exploration)
NASA's Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon by 2025-2026 and establish a sustainable presence. The program includes:
- Artemis II (2025): First crewed flight around the Moon since 1972
- Artemis III (2026): First woman and person of color on lunar surface
- Lunar Gateway: Orbiting space station supporting long-term exploration
- Human Landing System: SpaceX Starship selected as lunar lander
Mars Exploration
NASA operates multiple missions studying Mars:
- Perseverance Rover: Collecting samples for future return to Earth
- Ingenuity Helicopter: First powered flight on another planet (completed 70+ flights)
- Mars Sample Return: Joint NASA-ESA mission launching 2028
- MAVEN Orbiter: Studying Martian atmosphere and climate history
Outer Solar System
Juno Mission at Jupiter recently measured Europa's ice shell thickness at 18 miles, providing crucial data for understanding this ocean world's potential habitability.
Space Telescopes
James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
Launched December 2021, JWST is revolutionizing astronomy with infrared observations:
- Detecting earliest galaxies from 13+ billion years ago
- Analyzing exoplanet atmospheres for signs of life
- Studying star and planet formation in unprecedented detail
- Capturing images of distant galaxies, nebulae, and cosmic phenomena
Hubble Space Telescope
In orbit since 1990, Hubble continues delivering groundbreaking science after 35+ years of operation. Recent servicing missions and upgrades have extended its operational life into the 2030s.
International Space Station (ISS)
NASA leads international partnership operating the ISS, humanity's continuous presence in space since 2000:
- Partners: USA, Russia, Europe (ESA), Japan (JAXA), Canada (CSA)
- Crew size: Typically 7 astronauts rotating on 6-month missions
- Research: Microgravity experiments in biology, physics, materials science
- Future: Operations extended through at least 2030, commercial stations planned
Earth Science
NASA operates 26+ Earth-observing satellites monitoring climate change, weather patterns, and environmental health:
- Climate monitoring: Tracking sea level rise, ice sheet melt, atmospheric composition
- Disaster response: Real-time data for hurricanes, wildfires, floods
- Agriculture: Crop health monitoring and drought prediction
- Ocean science: Sea surface temperatures, ocean currents, marine ecosystems
Recent Discoveries (2025-2026)
Europa Ice Shell Measurement
Juno spacecraft measured Europa's ice shell at 18 miles thick, refining models of the subsurface ocean and informing Europa Clipper mission planning
JWST Exoplanet Atmospheres
Detected potential biosignature gases in K2-18 b atmosphere, sparking debate about life on distant worlds
Mars Water Ice Discovery
Perseverance rover found extensive water ice deposits in unexpected locations, implications for future human missions
NASA Centers
🚀 Kennedy Space Center (Florida)
Launch operations and spacecraft processing
🛰️ Jet Propulsion Laboratory (California)
Robotic spacecraft and deep space missions
👨🚀 Johnson Space Center (Texas)
Human spaceflight, astronaut training, Mission Control
🔧 Marshall Space Flight Center (Alabama)
Propulsion systems and space station hardware
Budget and Priorities (FY 2026)
NASA's $25.4 billion budget allocation:
- Artemis/Moon to Mars: $8.1B (32%)
- Science: $7.8B (31%) - includes JWST, planetary missions, Earth science
- Space Operations: $4.2B (17%) - ISS, commercial crew
- Space Technology: $1.5B (6%) - R&D for future capabilities
- Aeronautics: $1.0B (4%) - aviation research
- Other: $2.8B (10%) - construction, education, administration