The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the primary civilian space agency of the United States. Founded in 1958, NASA has more than 18,000 employees nationwide and an annual budget of $25B.
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This 3D solar system visualization displays the positions of known asteroids, comets, and spacecraft involved in asteroid studies. Major asteroids include additional details, including orbital trajectories and discovery dates.
These instruments track magnetic fields, solar wind particles, radio emissions from the heliopause, and hydrogen levels in the outer heliosphere. Even though each Voyager sends data at just 160 bits per second, NASA receives 6–8 hours of tracking data daily.
Once classified as planets, Ceres and Vesta are now considered a dwarf planet and an asteroid, respectively. The discovery of many similarly sized objects led to the creation of the asteroid belt category.
This interactive timeline chronicles the Space Race from its Cold War origins to the Moon landing, highlighting key figures, pivotal moments, and rapid technological advancements. It combines archival photos, video, and links to related material.
Simulate a visit to the red planet with the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover. This 3D interactive experience lets you explore various locations on the martian surface. See closeup images the rover has taken and view key points of interest. It's the next best thing to being there and certainly far safer!
Since its launch on Christmas Day 2021, NASA's $10B James Webb Space Telescope has captivated the world with its rapid revelations of ancient galaxies, star-formation hotbeds, and more. This regularly updated timeline of Webb's discoveries keeps you up to date with the latest developments.
The space shuttle program was initiated by President Richard Nixon in 1972, and its first launch into space came in 1981. At the time, the spaceplane was the world's most complex aircraft, featuring the most sophisticated heat shield in history. The project sought to create a permanent human presence in space for the first time. This series explores everything related to the space shuttle.
The retirement of the International Space Station in 2030 has led NASA to refocus its efforts on continuing microgravity research through private partnerships, including the support of multiple commercial space stations' design and development.
This archive includes the many steps it took to put together each Voyager probe. Photos focus on individual parts, like the 8-track tape deck, the large dish-shaped antenna, and its long arm magnetometer boom.
Originally built for a four-year mission, Voyagers 1 and 2 used a rare planetary alignment and gravity assists to reach interstellar space. With limited power and aging systems, they will continue to send data until the mid-2030s.
Since our ancient human relatives began using stone tools to perform tasks, humans have harnessed scientific knowledge and new technologies to expand the boundaries of our understanding of the natural world. From quantum computing and microplastics to artificial intelligence and memory, explore these topics and more with our concise yet informative overviews and expert-curated resources.