National Aeronautics and Space Administration  

Mission

Lead an innovative and sustainable program of exploration with commercial and international partners to enable human expansion across the solar system and bring new knowledge and opportunities back to Earth. Support growth of the Nation’s economy in space and aeronautics, increase understanding of the universe and our place in it, work with industry to improve America’s aerospace technologies, and advance American leadership.

Overview

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the United States government agency responsible for U.S. space exploration, space technology, Earth and space science, and aeronautics research.

NASA inspires the world by exploring new frontiers, discovering new knowledge, and developing new technology. Since NASA’s inception in 1958 to present day, the Agency’s history is written with each unique scientific and technological achievement. NASA has landed people on the Moon, visited every planet in the solar system, touched the Sun, and solved some of the core mysteries of our home planet. Today, the nation’s economic prosperity, national security, and cultural identity depend on NASA’s leadership in aeronautics, space exploration, and science.

NASA’s historic and enduring purpose is aligned to four major strategic goals:

1. Expand human knowledge through new scientific discoveries
2. Extend human presence deeper into space and to the Moon for sustainable long-term exploration and utilization
3. Address national challenges and catalyze economic growth
4. Optimize capabilities and operations

NASA’s headquarters is located in Washington, D.C. where the Office of the Administrator provides the overarching strategic direction for the Agency. The Agency’s science, research, and technology development work is implemented through four Mission Directorates and one Mission Support Directorate. The Agency’s day-to-day work is carried out in laboratories, on airfields, in wind tunnels, in control rooms, and in other NASA facilities. This work is distributed across nine Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (a Federally Funded Research and Development Center), and seven test and research facilities located around the country.