NASA's
mission is to pioneer the future in space exploration,
scientific discovery, and aeronautics research.
To do that, thousands of people have been working around the
world – and off of it – for more than 45 years, trying to
answer some basic questions. What's out there in space? How
do we get there? What will we find? What can we learn there,
or learn just by trying to get there, that will make life
better here on Earth?
History
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
established the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration in 1958, partially in response to the Soviet
Union's launch of the first artificial satellite. NASA grew
out of the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics, which
had been researching flight technology for more than 40
years.
President John F. Kennedy focused NASA and the nation on
sending astronauts to the
moon by the end of the 1960s. Through the Mercury and Gemini
projects, NASA developed the technology and skills it needed
for the journey. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first of 12 men to walk on the moon,
meeting Kennedy's challenge.
In the meantime, NASA was continuing the aeronautics
research pioneered by NACA. It also conducted purely
scientific research and worked on developing applications
for space technology, combining both pursuits in developing
the first weather and communications satellites.
After Apollo, NASA focused on developing America's ready
access to space: the space shuttle. First launched in 1981,
the Space Shuttle has had 112 successful flights, though two
crews have been lost. In 2000, the United States and Russia
established permanent human presence in space aboard the
international space station, a multinational project
representing the work of 16 nations.
NASA has also continued its scientific research. In 1997,
Mars Pathfinder became the first in a fleet of spacecraft
that will explore Mars in the next decade, as we try to
determine if life ever existed there. The Terra and Aqua
satellites are flagships of a different fleet, this one in
Earth orbit, which is designed to help us understand how our
home world changes. NASA's aeronautics teams are focused on
improved aircraft travel and making it safer and less
polluting.
Throughout its history, NASA has conducted or funded
research that has led to numerous improvements to life here
on Earth.
Organization
NASA Headquarters, in Washington,
provides overall guidance and direction to the Agency, under
the leadership of Administrator Michael Griffin. Ten field
centers and a variety of installations conduct the
day-to-day work, in laboratories, on air fields, in wind
tunnels and in control rooms.
NASA Today
NASA conducts its work in four
principle organizations, called mission directorates :
Aeronautics : pioneering
and proving new flight technologies that improve our
ability to explore and which have practical applications
on Earth.
Exploration Systems :
creating new capabilities for affordable, sustainable
human and robotic exploration
Science : exploring the
Earth, moon, Mars and beyond; charting the best route of
discovery; and reaping the benefits of Earth and space
exploration for society.
Space Operations :
providing critical enabling technologies for much of the
rest of NASA through the space shuttle, the international
space station and flight support.
In 2005, NASA's reach spans the
universe. Spirit and Opportunity, the Mars Exploration
Rovers, are still going on Mars after more than a year.
Cassini is in orbit around Saturn. The Hubble Space
Telescope continues to explore the deepest reaches of the
cosmos.
Closer to home, the latest crew of the international space
station is extending the permanent human presence in space.
Earth Science satellites are sending back unprecedented data
on Earth's oceans, climate and other features. NASA's
aeronautics team is working with other government
organizations, universities, and industry to fundamentally
improve the air transportation experience and retain our
nation's leadership in global aviation. And, most
importantly, NASA has begun returning the space shuttle to
flight. Led by Commander Eileen Collins, the crew of
Discovery tested new in-flight safety procedures and carried
supplies to the international space station.
The Vision for Space Exploration
NASA's future is the Vision for
Space Exploration, set forth by President George W. Bush in
2004. The key elements of the vision are :
safely return the Space Shuttle
to flight
complete the International Space
Station and retire the Space Shuttle by 2010
begin robotic missions to the
moon by 2008 and return people there by 2020
continue robotic exploration of
Mars and the Solar System
develop a Crew Exploration
Vehicle and other technologies required to send people
beyond low Earth orbit.
In September 2005, Administrator
Michael Griffin unveiled NASA's initial plans for
implementing the vision, returning to the moon by 2018.
Included in the plan is the Crew Exploration Vehicle, NASA's
next spaceship. Combining the best of Apollo and space
shuttle technology, this new vehicle will replace the
shuttle in flying to the international space station as well
as take a crew of four to the surface of the moon.
Though nearly 50 years old, NASA is only beginning the most
exciting part of its existence.
NASA's
mission is to pioneer the future in space exploration,
scientific discovery, and aeronautics research. 
moon by the end of the 1960s. Through the Mercury and Gemini
projects, NASA developed the technology and skills it needed
for the journey. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first of 12 men to walk on the moon,
meeting Kennedy's challenge. 
