The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, commonly known as NASA, is the United States government agency responsible for space exploration and aeronautics research.
What is NASA?
NASA, also referred to as the United States Space Agency, is a federal government agency of the United States tasked with implementing space exploration programs and aviation research.
Established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958, NASA was created with a civilian focus aimed at peaceful applications in space science. The National Aeronautics and Space Act was passed on July 29, 1958, dissolving its predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). The new agency officially commenced operations on October 1, 1958.
NASA, the United States Space Agency.
Since its inception, NASA has conducted most of the major space exploration missions, including the Apollo Moon landing missions, the Skylab space station, and the Space Shuttle program. Currently, NASA is involved in building and operating the International Space Station (ISS) and overseeing the development of the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System (SLS), and various crewed spacecraft launches with the participation of commercial companies. The agency is also responsible for the Launch Services Program (LSP), which manages and oversees NASA’s uncrewed spacecraft launch activities.
NASA’s Objectives
NASA’s scientific objectives focus on understanding Earth through the Earth Observing System, studying the physics of the Sun, exploring celestial bodies in the solar system with advanced robotic spacecraft like New Horizons, and researching topics in astrophysics, such as those related to the Big Bang, through the development of large space research instruments and other affiliated programs.
NASA shares information with numerous national and international institutes and organizations, such as in the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) program.
NASA Headquarters.
Achievements of NASA
NASA has achieved five of the greatest scientific milestones in history.
1. Chandra X-ray Observatory
The Chandra X-ray Observatory was launched into space in the latter half of 1999 and has played a crucial role in NASA’s space exploration missions. Over its fifteen years of operation, Chandra has provided humanity with a unique overview of the universe. It is considered one of the greatest scientific achievements in NASA’s history.
2. Freedom 7 and the First American in Space
On May 5, 1961, Alan Shepard left Earth and officially became the first American astronaut to travel into space. It is important to note that Shepard was not the first person in space; that honor belongs to the great Soviet astronaut Yuri Gagarin.
3. International Space Station (ISS)
The International Space Station (ISS) began construction in 1998 and has been utilized by researchers since 2000. The first crew arrived at the station in 2000 and has since lived there to support research and space exploration.
NASA, along with partners from around the world, officially completed the entire construction of the ISS in 2011. Astronomers have had to study how to live in a microgravity environment, with the ultimate goal of accomplishing future missions to send humans to the Moon and Mars.
4. Apollo 13
On April 11, 1970, the Apollo 13 spacecraft was launched, and after 55 hours and 55 minutes, a catastrophic explosion occurred, destroying nearly all systems and life-supporting equipment on board.
The disaster began when one of the spacecraft’s engines stopped functioning two minutes after liftoff. One of the two oxygen tanks exploded, and the pressure from the explosion caused the second tank to rupture. Shortly after, two of the three fuel cells in the spacecraft ceased operation. This meant that all the stored oxygen on Apollo 13 vented into space, and all basic life-support systems such as electricity, water, light, temperature, and oxygen ceased to function.
This disaster marked one of the most remarkable collective rescue operations in human history. While there were fears of tragic outcomes, a miracle occurred, and the survival of the crew members—James Lovell, Fred Haise, and John Swigert—is regarded as a triumph.
5. Apollo 11
The Apollo 11 mission became the first successful mission to land humans on the Moon. When astronaut Neil Armstrong set foot on the lunar surface and uttered the legendary words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” the world was astonished, with some even expressing skepticism and disbelief at the achievement.
Shortly thereafter, Buzz Aldrin and two others became the next individuals to walk on the Moon. Since the successful Apollo 11 mission, only ten astronauts have set foot on Earth’s only natural satellite.
