NASA

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is the United States government agency responsible for space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research. It was established on July 29, 1958, and began operations on October 1, 1958, replacing the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). Key Missions & Achievements Apollo Program (1961–1972) – Landed the first humans on the Moon (Apollo 11 in 1969). Space Shuttle Program (1981–2011) – Developed reusable spacecraft like Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour. International Space Station (ISS) – NASA is a key partner in operating this space station. Mars Exploration – Launched rovers like Curiosity, Perseverance, and Ingenuity helicopter. James Webb Space Telescope (2021) – A next-generation telescope studying the universe’s origins. Artemis Program (Ongoing) – Aims to return humans to the Moon and prepare for Mars missions. Current & Future Projects Artemis Missions (Returning humans to the Moon by 2026) Mars Sample Return (Bringing Mars rock samples to Earth) Lunar Gateway (A space station orbiting the Moon) Commercial Space Partnerships (Collaborating with SpaceX, Blue Origin, and others) NASA’s Main Centers Kennedy Space Center (KSC) – Launch site for many missions. Johnson Space Center (JSC) – Home to Mission Control. Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) – Focuses on robotic space exploration. Goddard Space Flight Center – Works on Earth and space sciences.