Missions
NASA explores the secrets of the universe for the benefit of all.
Science
NASA Science seeks to discover the secrets of the universe, search for life elsewhere, and protect and improve life on Earth and in space. The agency’s science missions circle the Earth, the Sun, the Moon, Mars, and many other destinations within our solar system, including spacecraft that look out even further into our universe.
An illustration of the Lucy spacecraft flying by two of its asteroid targets.
NASA
Human Spaceflight
Human space exploration addresses fundamental questions about our place in the universe and the history of our solar system. NASA’s exploration vision is anchored in providing value for humanity by answering some of the most fundamental questions: Why are we here? How did it all begin? Are we alone? What comes next?
NASA astronaut Zena Cardman processes bone cell samples inside the Kibo laboratory module’s Life Science Glovebox aboard the International Space Station.
NASA/Jonny Kim
Aeronautics
Building on a legacy of aeronautical research that can trace its origins to the earliest days of powered, heavier-than-air flight, NASA remains committed to transforming aviation by dramatically reducing its environmental impact, improving efficiency while maintaining safety, and paving the way to revolutionary aircraft shapes and propulsion that opens new possibilities for commercial air travel.
NASA test pilot Nils Larson steps out of the X-59 after successfully completing the aircraft’s first flight on Oct. 28, 2025. The mission marked a key milestone in advancing NASA’s Quesst mission to enable quiet supersonic flight over land.
NASA/Genaro Vavuris
Space Technology
Technology demonstrations enable NASA to mature the cutting-edge, laboratory-proven technologies and new capabilities that will transform future science and space exploration goals. Through these missions, ground-based or in-space testing is conducted to determine the feasibility of technologies and systems for use in NASA missions, for other government agencies, and with the commercial space industry.
Illustration of On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1 (OSAM-1)—a mission that will be the first to robotically refuel a satellite not designed to be serviced—grappling Landsat 7.
NASA
Artemis II
Four astronauts will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed mission on NASA's path to establishing a long-term presence at the Moon for science and exploration through Artemis. The 10-day flight will help confirm systems and hardware needed for early human lunar exploration missions.
More on Artemis II about Artemis II
Artemis II Crew
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In the Beginning
NASA's first high profile program was Project Mercury, an effort to learn if humans could survive in space.
In October 1958, just six days after NASA formally organized, America’s first human spaceflight program was born. Project Mercury’s manned flights spanned just two years – from May 1961 to May 1963 – making history with its six missions launched from Cape Canaveral.
Project Mercuryabout In the Beginning
Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr., pilot of the Mercury Atlas 6 (MA-6) spaceflight, poses for a photo with the Mercury “Friendship 7” spacecraft during preflight activities.
NASA
Featured Missions
Chandra X-ray Observatory
The Chandra X-ray Observatory allows scientists from around the world to obtain X-ray images of exotic environments to help understand the structure and evolution of the universe.
Europa Clipper
Europa Clipper is the first mission designed to conduct a detailed study of Jupiter's moon Europa. The spacecraft will travel 1.8 billion miles to reach Jupiter in April 2030.
Hubble Space Telescope
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope began its groundbreaking mission in 1990, forever changing the way we understand our universe. 35 years later, Hubble’s science continues to inspire.
James Webb Space Telescope
Webb studies every phase in the history of our Universe, ranging from the first luminous glows after the Big Bang, to the formation of solar systems capable of supporting life on planets like Earth,
Mars Perseverance Rover
The Mars Perseverance Rover is collecting core samples of Martian rock and regolith for potential pickup by a future mission that would bring them to Earth for detailed study.
OSIRIS-APEX
OSIRIS-APEX, a follow-on to OSIRIS-REx, is a mission to study the physical changes to asteroid Apophis that will result from its rare close encounter with Earth in April 2029.
Quesst
NASA's Quesst mission, which features the X-59 aircraft, will demonstrate technology to fly supersonic, or faster than the speed of sound, without generating loud sonic booms.
Voyager
Voyager 1 and its twin Voyager 2 are the only spacecraft ever to operate outside the heliosphere, the protective bubble of particles and magnetic fields generated by the Sun.
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