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National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images & Videos
Galileo spacecraft
Why did Kennedy want to go to the Moon?
Johnson Space Center: control room space shuttle liftoff Stephen Hawking and his daughter, Lucy map of the National Mall, Washington, D.C.
How does the Hubble Space Telescope work?
NASA's Parker Solar Probe spacecraft
Explore how the X-15, M2-F1 vehicle, and the LLRV at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center contributed to the U.S. space program
What is the path of the 2024 total solar eclipse?
Quizzes
Yellow transportation sign with ASAP (as soon as possible) on violet color sky background. (acronyms)
Figure Out the Acronyms ASAP Vocabulary Quiz
Edwin E. Aldrin (Buzz Aldrin) stands on the moon, Apollo 11
Famous Astronauts and Cosmonauts
Related Questions
Read Next
After a perfect launch, spectators try to catch a last glimpse of Space Shuttle Columbia, barely visible at the top end of the twisted column of smoke.
7 Accidents and Disasters in Spaceflight History
The International Space Station photographed against the Rio Negro, Argentina, from the shuttle orbiter Atlantis, February 16, 2001. Atlantis' primary mission was to deliver the Destiny laboratory module, visible at the leading end of the station.
Everyday Stuff Developed by NASA
Apollo 12 astronaut Charles "Pete" Conrad stands beside the U.S. flag after is was unfurled on the lunar surface during the first extravehicular activity (EVA-1) Nov. 19, 1969. Footprints made by the crew can be seen in the photograph.
How Many People Have Been to the Moon?
Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong (center), command pilot, and David R. Scott (right), pilot of the Gemini-8 prime crew, are suited up for water egress training aboard the NASA Motor Vessel Retriever in the Gulf of Mexico. At left is Dr. Kenneth N. Beers, M.D., Flight Medicine Branch, Center Medical Office. Training for Gemini 8, Gemini-titan-8. January 15, 1966
How Gemini 8 Made History and Avoided Disaster
The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A on July 1 1997 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission.
12 Questions About the History of Space Exploration Answered
Discover
illustration of the walking titanosaurus, Patagotitan mayorum
Titanosaurs: 8 of the World's Biggest Dinosaurs
Close up of books. Stack of books, pile of books, literature, reading. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society
12 Novels Considered the “Greatest Book Ever Written”
King Cobra snake in Malaysia. (reptile)
9 of the World’s Deadliest Snakes
Hemp (Cannabis sativa).
9 Mind-Altering Plants
Ahura Mazda - relief of the Zoroastrian god Ahura Mazda at the ancient ruins of Persepolis in Iran. Also known as Ormazd Zoroastrianism,
Which Religion Is the Oldest?
Titanic infographic. The 30th anniversary of its discovery is September 1, 2015. SPOTLIGHT VERSION.
Timeline of the Titanic’s Final Hours
Easter Procession of Maria Santisima del Sacromonte in Granada, Spain. This statue is known as Virgen de los Gitanos or The Virgin of the Gypsies.
What is Holy Week?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Facts & Related Content

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NASA's Lucy spacecraft is speeding toward another close encounter with an asteroid • Apr. 18, 2025, 10:01 AM ET (AP)
A strong solar storm heads to Earth. Here's what to know about northern lights • Apr. 15, 2025, 3:24 PM ET (AP)
Blue Origin launches an all-female celebrity crew with Katy Perry, Gayle King and Lauren Sanchez • Apr. 14, 2025, 1:13 PM ET (AP)
Billionaire spacewalker highlights Mars trip for astronauts in his bid to become NASA's next chief • Apr. 9, 2025, 1:26 PM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As NASA
Date 1958 - present
Areas Of Involvement space exploration • research and development • space shuttle • Voyager • Apollo • Earth satellite • spacecraft • Gemini • Mariner • Landsat
Related People Dwight D. Eisenhower • Neil Armstrong • Michael Griffin • Katherine Johnson • David S. McKay • Sultan ibn Salman Al Saud • Bill Nelson • Alan B. Shepard, Jr. • Joseph Acaba • Stephanie Wilson • Jasmin Moghbeli • Nicole Aunapu Mann • Valerie Thomas • Jessica Meir • Nancy Grace Roman

Photos and Videos

Galileo spacecraft
Johnson Space Center: control room
space shuttle liftoff
Stephen Hawking and his daughter, Lucy
map of the National Mall, Washington, D.C.
Why did Kennedy want to go to the Moon?
How does the Hubble Space Telescope work?
NASA's Parker Solar Probe spacecraft
Explore how the X-15, M2-F1 vehicle, and the LLRV at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center contributed to the U.S. space program
What is the path of the 2024 total solar eclipse?
See All Videos and Images →

Related Topics and References

Topics

Related Quizzes and Features

Quiz
Edwin E. Aldrin (Buzz Aldrin) stands on the moon, Apollo 11
Famous Astronauts and Cosmonauts
Yellow transportation sign with ASAP (as soon as possible) on violet color sky background. (acronyms)
Figure Out the Acronyms ASAP Vocabulary Quiz
List
The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A on July 1 1997 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission.
12 Questions About the History of Space Exploration Answered
Demystified
Apollo 12 astronaut Charles "Pete" Conrad stands beside the U.S. flag after is was unfurled on the lunar surface during the first extravehicular activity (EVA-1) Nov. 19, 1969. Footprints made by the crew can be seen in the photograph.
How Many People Have Been to the Moon?