Guide Note
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an agency within the United States Federal Government. NASA's purpose is to research and develop aerospace technology and to oversee America's astronomy and space programs.
Fast Facts
- Established: July 29, 1958
- Founded by: The National Aeronautics and Space Act
- Legislation signed by President Eisenhower
- Preceded agency: The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA)
- Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
- Administrator: Michael D. Griffin
- Deputy Administrator: Shana Dale
- Annual budget (2008): $17.3 billion1
- Requested budget (2009): $17.6 billion1
- Official mission statement: "To pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research."2
- Maintains the NASA Great Observatories
Major Divisions
- Aeronautics
- Exploration Systems
- Science
- Space Operations
International Collaboration
Although the Cold War-era "Space Race" focused on the United States' individual space-faring achievements, NASA now frequently collaborates with space agencies around the world. NASA worked extensively with the European Space Agency (ESA) on the Cassini-Huygens mission to survey Saturn. NASA is also one of the major contributors to the ongoing International Space Station project.
Related Pages on Mahalo
Space Tourism | Dawn Mission | Hubble Space Telescope | Lisa Nowak | International Space Station | Moon | Earth | Kay Bailey Hutchison | Shuttle Launch | Phoenix Lander Photos | Ares Orion
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