The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA /ˈnæsə/) is an independent company of the U.S. Federal authorities liable for the civilian area application, in addition to aeronautics and area research.[note 1]
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
A blue sphere with stars, a yellow planet with a white moon; a red chevron representing wings, and an orbiting spacecraft; surrounded by a white border with "NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION U.S.A." in purple letters
NASA seal
A blue sphere with stars, white letters N-A-S-A in Helvetica font; a pink chevron representing wings, and an orbiting spacecraft
NASA "meatball" insignia
A purple line forming stylized letters N-A-S-A
NASA "computer virus" logotype
NASA HQ Building.Jpg
NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Agency review
Abbreviation
NASA
Formed
July 29, 1958; sixty two years ago
Preceding enterprise
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (1915–1958)[1]
Type
Space corporation
Jurisdiction
United States Federal Government
Headquarters
Washington, D.C.
38°fifty two′59″N seventy seven°0′fifty nine″W
Motto
For the Benefit of All[2]
Administrator
Bill Nelson
Deputy Administrator
Vacant
Primary spaceports
John F. Kennedy Space CenterCape Canaveral Space Force StationVandenberg Air Force Base
Owner
United States
Employees
17,373 (2020)[3]
Annual price range
Increase US$22.629 billion (2020)[4]
Website
NASA.Gov
NASA become established in 1958, succeeding the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). The new organisation was to have a exceedingly civilian orientation, encouraging non violent applications in area science.[7][8][9] Since its establishment, most US area exploration efforts have been led with the aid of NASA, which includes the Apollo Moon touchdown missions, the Skylab space station, and later the Space Shuttle. NASA is assisting the International Space Station and is overseeing the development of the Orion spacecraft, the Space Launch System, and Commercial Crew automobiles. The agency is also accountable for the Launch Services Program, which affords oversight of launch operations and countdown management for uncrewed NASA launches.
NASA's science is focused on better expertise Earth via the Earth Observing System;[10] advancing heliophysics via the efforts of the Science Mission Directorate's Heliophysics Research Program;[11] exploring our bodies all through the Solar System with superior robotic spacecraft including New Horizons;[12] and getting to know astrophysics topics, inclusive of the Big Bang, thru the Great Observatories and associated packages.[13]
