About NASA
NASA explores the unknown in air and space, innovates for the benefit of humanity, and inspires the world through discovery.
NASA Today
For more than 65 years, NASA has made the seemingly impossible, possible. At its 20 centers and facilities across the country and with U.S. commercial companies and international partners, NASA leads studying Earth science, including climate, our Sun, solar system, and the larger universe. We conduct cutting-edge research to advance technology and aeronautics. We operate the world’s leading space laboratory, the International Space Station, and will establish a sustainable and strong exploration presence on the Moon this decade through the Artemis campaign.
Looking Forward
NASA’s future will continue to be a story of human exploration, technology, and science. We will go back to the Moon to learn more about what it will take to support human exploration to Mars and beyond. We will continue to nurture the development of a vibrant low-Earth orbit economy that builds on the work done to date by the International Space Station. NASA engineers will develop new technologies to improve air transport at home and meet the challenges of advanced space exploration. Our scientists will work to increase an understanding of our planet and our place in the universe.
A History of Innovation
When NASA opened for business on October 1, 1958, it accelerated the work already started on human and robotic spaceflight, and over the last 65 years it has continued to push the boundaries of aeronautics and space exploration. Now NASA is preparing to take humankind farther than ever before, as it helps to foster a robust commercial space economy near Earth, and pioneers further human and robotic exploration as we venture into deep space.
NASA Leadership
Administrator Jared Isaacman
Jared “Rook” Isaacman is the 15th Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. An entrepreneur and skilled pilot, Isaacman commanded Inspiration4, the first all-civilian orbital spaceflight aboard the Dragon spacecraft. The mission was a major milestone in commercial spaceflight.
Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson
Matt Anderson is NASA’s deputy administrator. Anderson is a decorated Air Force command pilot with more than 5,000 flight hours, including over 650 in combat. During his 24-year Air Force career, he served on several senior U.S. Department of War staffs and commanded at multiple levels before retiring in 2021.
Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya
Amit Kshatriya is NASA’s associate administrator. Kshatriya serves as the highest-ranking civil servant at the agency and as a senior advisor to the administrator. Kshatriya leads the agency’s 10 center directors, as well as the mission directorate associate administrators at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
Centers & Facilities
NASA Headquarters
Location
Washington, DC
Founded
July 29th, 1958
People
2,463
Director
Nichole Pinkney
Ames Research Center
Location
Moffett Field, CA
Founded
December 20th, 1939
People
3,200+
Director
Dr. Eugene Tu
Armstrong Flight Research Center
Location
Edwards
Founded
September 30th, 1946
People
1,000
Director
Troy A. Asher
Glenn Research Center
Location
Cleveland, OH
Founded
January 23rd, 1941
People
2,580+
Director
Dawn Schaible
Goddard Space Flight Center
Location
Greenbelt
Founded
May 1st, 1959
People
10,000
Director
Jamie Dunn
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Location
Pasadena
Founded
October 31st, 1963
People
6,000
Director
Dr. Laurie Leshin
Johnson Space Center
Location
Houston
Founded
November 1st, 1961
People
11,000
Director
Vanessa E. Wyche
Katherine Johnson IVV Facility
Location
Fairmont, WV
Founded
January 1st, 1993
People
275+
Director
Wes Deadrick
Kennedy Space Center
Location
Kennedy Space Center, FL
Founded
July 1st, 1962
People
10,000
Director
Brian Hughes
NASA Langley Research Center
Location
Hampton, VA
Founded
October 2nd, 1964
People
3,400+
Director
Acting Director Trina Dyal
Marshall Space Flight Center
Location
Huntsville, AL
Founded
July 1st, 1960
People
6,000+
Director
Stephen Cash
Michoud Assembly Facility
Location
New Orleans, LA
Founded
September 7th, 1961
People
3,100
Director
Hansel D. V. Gill
Engineering and Safety Center
Location
Hampton, Virginia
Founded
People
Director
Stennis Space Center
Location
Stennis Space Center
Founded
October 25th, 1961
People
5,200
Director
John Bailey
Wallops Flight Facility
Location
Wallops Island
Founded
May 7th, 1943
People
1,000
Director
Shad Combs, Acting Director
White Sands Test Facility
Location
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Founded
July 6th, 1963
People
300
Director
Jason E Noble
Directorates
Careers at NASA
Align your talents with your passion and find out why NASA consistently is named a best place to work in the federal government. At NASA, you’ll have an opportunity to work on unique and challenging projects that truly make an impact on humanity.
Explore Opportunities about Careers at NASALatest NASA News
Launched nearly 50 years ago in 1977, NASA’s Voyager 1 on Wednesday, Nov. 18 will have traveled one light-day from Earth, which is more than 16 billion miles (25.9 billion kilometers). Voyager 1 is the most distant human-made object, and…
NASA will welcome home the Expedition 74 crew during a public event at Space Center Houston following their return from a long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station. NASA astronauts Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, and Chris Williams; ESA (European Space…
Editor’s note: This release was revised Nov. 12, 2026, to update the name of the challenge. On Sunday, NASA announced the opening of its $1 million Moon Base Challenge during a MAX POWER event at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex…
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