The National Aeronautics and Space Administration known as NASA is an independent agency of the US government which is responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.
It was formed on July 29, 1958, and has been actively serving its purpose since. It was set up to succeed the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) by focusing more on civilian orientation, encouraging peaceful applications in space science.
With its help, the US has had several space exploration including, the Apollo Moon landing missions, the Skylab space station, and the Space Shuttle.
NASA is currently supporting the International Space Station (ISS). It is overseeing the development of the Orion spacecraft, the Space Launch System, Commercial Crew vehicles, and the planned Lunar Gateway space station.
With NASA, the focus is on understanding Earth through the Earth Observing System more intricately; advancing heliophysics through the well-timed efforts of the Science Mission Directorate’s Heliophysics Research Program; exploring other planetary bodies throughout the Solar System while using advanced robotic spacecraft such as New Horizons; and also making efforts to delve deeper on astrophysics topics, such as the famous Big Bang, through the Great Observatories and others.
Who is the CEO of NASA?
The agency’s leader CEO and NASA’s administrator is nominated by the President of the United States. This domination is subject to the approval of the US Senate though.
The administrator reports to the president and also serves as a senior space science advisor to the president. This also means that for the most part, administrators are changed with changes in government. The current Administrator is Bill Nelson who was nominated by President Joe Biden in 2021.