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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
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
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
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
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
Discover
Queen Elizabeth II addresses at opening of Parliament. (Date unknown on photo, but may be 1958, the first time the opening of Parliament was filmed.)
All 119 References in “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” Explained
Nelson Mandela, undated photo.
15 Nelson Mandela Quotes
New Zealand. Political/Physical map. Includes locator.
Where Is “Old Zealand”?
Figure 13: A Maxim machine gun, belt-fed and water-cooled, operated by German infantrymen, World War I.
7 Deadliest Weapons in History
World Data Locator Map: Australia
Is Australia an Island?
The Colosseum, Rome, Italy. Giant amphitheatre built in Rome under the Flavian emperors. (ancient architecture; architectural ruins)
New Seven Wonders of the World
Mona Lisa, oil on wood panel by Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1503-06; in the Louvre, Paris, France. 77 x 53 cm.
Why Is the Mona Lisa So Famous?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Facts & Related Content

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NASA's Lucy spacecraft beams back pictures of an asteroid shaped like a lumpy bowling pin • Apr. 23, 2025, 11:17 AM ET (AP)
A Soyuz capsule with 2 Russians and 1 American returns to Earth from the International Space Station • Apr. 20, 2025, 6:01 AM ET (AP)
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)

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 • Nancy Grace Roman • Jessica Meir • Valerie Thomas • Nicole Aunapu Mann • Jasmin Moghbeli • Stephanie Wilson

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
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
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?