Definition: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is a state-owned agency of United States of America in control of the civil space program along with advanced research in aerospace and aeronautics. It was established by the then President Dwight D. Eisenhower with a distinct orientation towards civilian areas rather than military to encourage the peaceful application of space science. After the successful passage of the National Aeronautics and Space Act in July 1958, the agency came into existence on October 1, 1958 with headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Description: Since its incorporation, most of the space exploration efforts of the United States have been led by the NASA, gradually making the agency the most advanced space agency on Earth. Some revolutionary and remarkable space programs carried out by the agency include the Apollo missions for moon-landing, the Skylab space station and later on the infamous Space Shuttle program. The establishment of Hubble Space Telescope by NASA in 1990 is considered to be one of the turning points in human understanding of the universe. It was due to Hubble that we were able to see the pictures of distant stars and planets in our galaxy. At present, NASA is one of the key members in the support and maintenance of the ISS (International Space Station).
NASA has successfully sent space probes to all the planets in our solar system which helped in understanding the anatomy of our solar system. The most recent achievement was the New Horizons space probe, launched on January 19, 2006, which performed a flyby of Pluto on July 14, 2015 and sent high-definition pictures of the surface of Pluto for the first time. Another ambitious project of NASA is the MAVEN spacecraft under Mars Scout program to study the Martian atmosphere.
Aliens: Little green men or big government secrets? Exploring UFO mysteriesUnidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) have fascinated people for decades, sparking debates about extraterrestrial life. World UFO Day, on July 2, commemorates the 1947 Roswell Incident when a "flying disc" was reportedly recovered, later deemed a weather balloon. Despite official denials, UFO interest persists. In 2022, Congress investigated unexplained sightings near military bases. In 2023, retired Maj. David Grusch claimed the US has hidden UFO programs, denied by the Pentagon. Skepticism and intrigue continue, as shown by controversial testimonies and recent claims of "nonhuman" mummies in Mexico.
Aliens: Little green men or big government secrets? Exploring UFO mysteriesUnidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) have fascinated people for decades, sparking debates about extraterrestrial life. World UFO Day, on July 2, commemorates the 1947 Roswell Incident when a "flying disc" was reportedly recovered, later deemed a weather balloon. Despite official denials, UFO interest persists. In 2022, Congress investigated unexplained sightings near military bases. In 2023, retired Maj. David Grusch claimed the US has hidden UFO programs, denied by the Pentagon. Skepticism and intrigue continue, as shown by controversial testimonies and recent claims of "nonhuman" mummies in Mexico.
Two giant asteroids are approaching Earth, Here's how to spot the 'Planet Killer' this weekendThis week, astronomers are anticipating the close approach of asteroid 2011 UL21, dubbed the "Planet Killer," as it swings by Earth. Despite its size of approximately 2.5 kilometers in diameter, it will pass at a safe distance of 4.1 million miles—farther than the moon. Recently discovered asteroid 2024 MK, smaller but still considered hazardous, has raised concerns due to its potential impact risks. Astronomers caution that an asteroid of this size could cause significant damage if it were to collide with Earth, underscoring ongoing efforts in planetary defense and monitoring.
Step into Space with NASA's latest 3D video as it takes you through the cosmic 'Pillars of Creation'NASA has unveiled a stunning 3D visualization of the 'Pillars of Creation' located in the Eagle Nebula, combining images from the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes. These cosmic structures, first captured by Hubble in the 1990s, have fascinated humanity for their towering columns of gas and dust where new stars are born. The new video allows viewers to explore these pillars in three dimensions, showcasing their intricate details and contrasting views from Hubble's visible-light images to Webb's infrared perspectives. This initiative aims to enhance public engagement and understanding of star formation processes, part of NASA's Universe of Learning initiative.