NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government, established on July 29, 1958 and beginning operations on October 1, 1958. It is responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research and space exploration. Its headquarters (Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters) is in Washington, D.C., and it operates ten field centers across the United States. NASA conducts both human spaceflight (Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Space Shuttle, ISS, Artemis) and extensive robotic exploration: Mars rovers (Curiosity, Perseverance), humanoid robots (Robonaut 2, Valkyrie/R5), Astrobee free-flying robots on the ISS, and interplanetary probes. It also conducts astrophysics research (Hubble and James Webb telescopes) and Earth observation. Its FY 2026 budget is approximately US$24.4 billion.