NASA

NASA was established in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower for space science research, partially as a response to the Soviet Union fired a satellite into space in 1957. Though it began as a product of the Cold War, NASA has always maintained a peaceful, civilian orientation rather than military.

In the 60s, President Kennedy focused NASA on completing a moon landing before the end of the decade. They just made it: on July 20, 1969, NASA astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first men to walk on the moon.

Other accomplishments include the launch of the reusable space shuttle in 1981, which ran 130 successful missions before retiring in 2011, and collaborating with 15 other nations to establish a permanent human presence in space aboard the International Space Station. The Curiosity rover discovered that Mars once had environmental conditions favorable for microbial life.

NASA works together with U.S. commercial companies to develop spacecraft capable of carrying humans and cargo to the International Space Station. In addition, NASA is helping to foster the development of private-sector aerospace while also building the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket to send humans into deep space.

NASA's is working with other government organizations, universities, and industry to fundamentally improve the air transportation experience and retain the United States' leadership in global aviation.

Mission Directorates

NASA conducts its work using four principal organizations, called "mission directorates":

• Aeronautics: manages research focused on meeting global demand for air mobility in ways that are more environmentally friendly and sustainable, while also embracing revolutionary technology from outside aviation.
• Human Exploration and Operations: focuses on International Space Station operations, development of commercial spaceflight capabilities and human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit.
• Science: explores the Earth, solar system and universe beyond; charts the best route of discovery; and reaps the benefits of Earth and space exploration for society.
• Space Technology: rapidly develops, innovates, demonstrates, and infuses revolutionary, high-payoff technologies that enable NASA's future missions while providing economic benefit to the nation.

Future of NASA

NASA's missions, programs and projects are ensuring the United States will remain the world's leader in space exploration and scientific discovery for years to come, while making critical advances in aerospace, technology development and aeronautics.

• NASA is planning to send astronauts to an asteroid in the coming decade and then to Mars by the 2030s.
• Part of the U.S. portion of the International Space Station has been designated as a national laboratory, and NASA is committed to using this unique resource for wide-ranging scientific research.
• Commercial, private-sector industry partners are working with NASA to develop new spacecraft and rockets to transport astronauts to and from low-Earth orbit, allowing NASA to focus its attention on the next steps into our solar system.
• NASA is researching ways to design and build aircraft that are safer, more fuel-efficient, quieter, and environmentally responsible. This includes developing the Next Generation Air Transportation System, or NextGen, to be in place by the year 2025.
• Research that will seek new knowledge and understanding of Earth, the solar system and the universe.