United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Dates
- Existence: 1958-
Administrative History
The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (1958-) is an agency of the U.S. government involved in aeronautics and aerospace research and development.
NASA was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958. It grew out of the National Advisory Committee of Aeronautics (NACA), which had been researching flight technology. In the 1960s NASA focused on sending astronauts to the moon, and has also worked towards developing space technology, establishing a permanent human residence in space in the International Space Shuttle, and various exploratory flight into space. NASA's research and work focuses on four principle organizations: Aeronautics, Human Exploration and Operations, Science, and Space Technology. Currently it is working on project that will enable the eventual visit to Mars and deep space exploration.