Vintage Nasa Test Equipment Power Supply Astronaut space label WOW For Sale
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Vintage Nasa Test Equipment Power Supply Astronaut space label WOW:
$225.00
Vintage Nasa Test Equipment Power Supply . Condition is For parts or not working. . Does not power up . Offered as is for collectorNASA's science is focused on better understanding Earth through the Earth Observing System;[7] advancing heliophysics through the efforts of the Science Mission Directorate's Heliophysics Research Program;[8] exploring bodies throughout the Solar System with advanced robotic spacecraft such as New Horizons and planetary rovers such as Perseverance;[9] and researching astrophysics topics, such as the Big Bang, through the James Webb Space Telescope, the Great Observatories and associated programs.[10] The Launch Services Program oversees launch operations and countdown management for its uncrewed launches.
HistoryCreating a civil aeronautics and space agencyMain articles: Creation of NASA and National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
A U.S. Air Force Bell X-1 test flightNASA traces its roots to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). Despite being the birthplace of aviation, by 1914 the United States recognized that it was far behind Europe in aviation capability. Determined to regain American leadership in aviation, Congress created the Aviation Section of the U.S. Army Signal Corps in 1914 and established NACA in 1915 to foster aeronautical research and development. Over the next forty years NACA would conduct aeronautical research in support of the U.S. Air Force, its predecessors in the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, and the civil aviation sector. After the end of World War II, NACA became interested in the possibilities of guided missiles and supersonic aircraft, developing and testing the Bell X-1 in a joint program with the U.S. Air Force. NACA's interest in space grew out of its rocketry program at the Pilotless Aircraft Research Division.[11]
Launch of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency's Explorer 1, America's first satelliteThe Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik 1 ushered in the Space Age and kicked off the Space Race. Despite NACA's early rocketry program, the responsibility for launching the first American satellite fell to the Naval Research Laboratory's Project Vanguard, whose operational issues ensured the Army Ballistic Missile Agency would launch Explorer 1, America's first satellite, on February 1, 1958.
The Eisenhower Administration decided to split the United States' military and civil spaceflight programs, which were organized together under the Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency. NASA was established on July 29, 1958, with the signing of the National Aeronautics and Space Act and it began operations on October 1, 1958.[11]
As the United States' premier aeronautics agency, NACA formed the core of NASA's new structure, absorbing its 8,000 employees and three major research laboratories. NASA also proceeded to absorb the Naval Research Laboratory's Project Vanguard, the Army's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the Army Ballistic Missile Agency under Wernher von Braun. This left NASA firmly as the United States' civil space lead and the Air Force as the military space lead.[11]
First orbital and hypersonic flightsMain article: Project Mercury
Launch of Friendship 7, NASA's first orbital flight, February 20, 1962Plans for human spaceflight began in the U.S. Armed Forces prior to NASA's creation. The Air Force's Man in Space Soonest and the Army's Project Adam served as the foundation for Project Mercury, the first American program to put people in space. NASA established the Space Task Group to manage the program, which would conduct sub-orbital flights with the Army's Redstone rockets and orbital flights with the Air Force's Atlas launch vehicles. While NASA intended for its first astronauts to be civilians, President Eisenhower directed that they be selected from the military. The Mercury 7 astronauts included three Air Force pilots, three Navy aviators, and one Marine Corps pilot.[11]The NASA-Air Force X-15 hypersonic aircraftOn May 5, 1961 Alan Shepard became the first American to enter space, performing a suborbital spaceflight in the Freedom 7. This flight occurred less than a month after the Soviet Union's Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space, executing a full orbital spaceflight. NASA's first orbital spaceflight was conducted by John Glenn on February 20, 1962, in the Friendship 7, conducting three full orbits before reentering. Glenn had to fly parts of his final two orbits manually due to a malfunction in the autopilot. The sixth and final Mercury mission was flown by Gordon Cooper in May 1963, performing 22 orbits over 34 hours in the Faith 7. The Mercury Program was a resounding success, achieving its objectives to orbit a human in space, develop tracking and control systems, and identify other issues associated with human spaceflight.[11]
While much of NASA's attention turned to space, it did not forget its aeronautics mission. Early aeronautics research attempted to build upon the X-1's supersonic flight to build an aircraft capable of hypersonic flight. The North American X-15 was a joint NASA-U.S. Air Force program, with the hypersonic test aircraft becoming the first non-dedicated spacecraft to cross from the atmosphere to outer space. The X-15 also served as a testbed for Apollo program technologies and ramjet and scramjet propulsion.[11]
Moon landingMain articles: Project Gemini and Apollo programGemini 6 and Gemini 7 conduct an orbital rendezvousEscalations in the Cold War between the United States and Soviet Union prompted President John F. Kennedy to charge NASA with landing an American on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth by the end of the 1960s, and installed James E. Webb as NASA administrator to achieve this goal. On May 25, 1961, President Kennedy openly declared this goal in his "Urgent National Needs" speech to the United States Congress, declaring:I believe this Nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish.Kennedy gave his "We choose to go to the Moon" speech the next year, on September 12, 1962 at Rice University.Despite attacks on the goal of landing astronauts on the Moon from the former president Dwight Eisenhower and 1964 presidential candidate Barry Goldwater, President Kennedy was able to protect NASA's growing budget, of which 50% went directly to human spaceflight and it was later estimated that, at its height, 5% of Americans worked on some aspect of the Apollo program.[11]Launch of Apollo 11To manage the Apollo program, NASA required a more rigorous approach than it applied to Project Mercury. Mirroring the Department of Defense's program management concept using redundant systems in building the first intercontinental ballistic missiles, NASA requested the Air Force assign Major General Samuel C. Phillips to the space agency where he would serve as the director of the Apollo program. Development of the Saturn V rocket was led by Wernher von Braun and his team at the Marshall Space Flight Center, derived from the Army Ballistic Missile Agency's original Saturn I. The Apollo spacecraft was designed and built by North American Aviation, while the Apollo Lunar Module was designed and built by Grumman.[11]To develop the spaceflight skills and equipment required for a lunar mission, NASA initiated Project Gemini. Using a modified Air Force Titan II launch vehicle, the Gemini capsule could hold two astronauts for flights of over two weeks. Gemini pioneered the use of fuel cells instead of legacy batteries and demonstrated spacewalks and rendezvous operations. NASA also needed more detailed information about the Moon's geography and composition to prepare for a landing, using three uncrewed spacecraft programs.Buzz Aldrin salutes the United States flag on the lunar surfaceThe Ranger Program was started in the 1950s as a response to Soviet lunar exploration but was generally considered to be a failure. The Lunar Orbiter program had greater success, mapping the surface in preparation for Apollo landings and measured Selenography, conducted meteoroid detection, and measured radiation levels. The Surveyor program conducted uncrewed lunar landings and takeoffs, as well as taking surface and regolith observations.[11] Despite the setback caused by the Apollo 1 fire, which killed three astronauts, the program proceeded.Apollo 8 was the first crewed spacecraft to leave low Earth orbit and the first human spaceflight to reach the Moon. The crew orbited the Moon ten times on December 24 and 25, 1968, and then traveled safely back to Earth.[12][13][14] The three Apollo 8 astronauts—Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders—were the first humans to see the Earth as a globe in space, the first to witness an Earthrise, and the first to see and manually photograph the far side of the Moon.The first lunar landing was conducted by Apollo 11. Commanded by Neil Armstrong with astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, Apollo 11 was one of the most significant missions in NASA's history, marking the end of the Space Race when the Soviet Union gave up its lunar ambitions. As the first human to step on the surface of the Moon, Neil Armstrong uttered the now famous words:That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.NASA would conduct six total lunar landings as part of the Apollo program, with Apollo 17 concluding the program in 1972.[11]Apollo 15 CSM Endeavour in lunar orbitWernher von Braun had advocated for NASA to develop a space station since the agency was created. In 1973, following the end of the Apollo lunar missions, NASA launched its first space station, Skylab, on the final launch of the Saturn V. Skylab repurposed a significant amount of former Apollo and Saturn hardware, with a repurposed Saturn V third stage serving as primary module for the space station. Damage to Skylab during launch required spacewalks by the first crew to make it habitable and operational. Skylab only hosted 9 missions and was decommissioned in 1974 and deorbited in 1979, two years prior to the Space Shuttle's launch and any possibility of boosting its orbit.[11]In 1975, the Apollo–Soyuz mission was the first ever international spaceflight and a major diplomatic accomplishment between the Cold War rivals. Flown in 1975, a U.S. Apollo spacecraft docked with a Soviet Soyuz capsule. It also was the last flight of the Apollo capsule.[11]Interplanetary exploration and space scienceImage from Mars taken by the Viking 2 landerDuring the 1960s, NASA started its space science and interplanetary probe program. The Mariner program was its flagship program, launching probes to Venus, Mars, and Mercury in the 1960s. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory was the lead NASA center for robotic interplanetary exploration, making significant discoveries about the inner planets. Despite these successes, Congress was unwilling to fund further interplanetary missions and NASA Administrator James Webb suspended all future interplanetary probes to focus resources on the Apollo program.[11]Following the conclusion of the Apollo program, NASA resumed launching interplanetary probes and expanded its space science program. The first planet tagged for exploration was Venus, sharing many similar characteristics to Earth. First visited by American Mariner 2 spacecraft, Venus was observed to be a hot and inhospitable planet. Follow-on missions included the Pioneer Venus project in the 1970s and Magellan, which performed radar mapping of Venus' surface in the 1980s and 1990s. Future missions were flybys of Venus, on their way to other destinations in the Solar System.[11]Mars has long been a planet of intense fascination for NASA, being suspected of potentially having harbored life. Mariner 5 was the first NASA spacecraft to flyby Mars, followed by Mariner 6 and Mariner 7. Mariner 9 was the first orbital mission to Mars. Launched in 1975, Viking program consisted of two landings on Mars in 1976. Follow-on missions would not be launched until 1996, with the Mars Global Surveyor orbiter and Mars Pathfinder, deploying the first Mars rover, Sojourner. During the early 2000s, the 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter reached the planet and in 2004 the Sprit and Opportunity rovers landed on the Red Planet. This was followed in 2005 by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and 2007 Phoenix Mars lander. The 2012 landing of Curiosity discovered that the radiation levels on Mars were equal to those on the International Space Station, greatly increasing the possibility of Human exploration, and observed the key chemical ingredients for life to occur. In 2013, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission observed the Martian upper atmosphere and space environment and in 2018, the Interior exploration using Seismic Investigations Geodesy, and Heat Transport (InSight) studied the Martian interior. The 2021 Perseverance rover carried the first extraplanetary aircraft, a helicopter named Ingenuity.[11]Curiosity on the surface of MarsNASA also launched missions to Mercury in 2004, with the MESSENGER probe demonstrating as the first use of a solar sail. NASA also launched probes to the outer Solar System starting in the 1960s. Pioneer 10 was the first probe to the outer planets, flying by Jupiter, while Pioneer 11 provided the first close up view of the planet. Both probes became the first objects to leave the Solar System. The Voyager program launched in 1977, conducting flybys of Jupiter and Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus on a trajectory to leave the Solar System. The Galileo spacecraft, deployed from the Space Shuttle flight STS-34, was the first spacecraft to orbit Jupiter, discovering evidence of subsurface oceans on the Europa and observed that the moon may hold ice or liquid water. A joint NASA-European Space Agency-Italian Space Agency mission, Cassini–Huygens, was sent to Saturn's moon of Titan, which along with Mars and Europa, are the only objects non-Terran objects in the Solar System suspected of being capable of harboring life. Cassini discovered three new moons of Saturn and the Huygens probe entered Titan's atmosphere. The mission discovered evidence of liquid hydrocarbon lakes on Titan and subsurface water oceans on the moon of Enceladus, which could harbor life. Finally launched in 2006, the New Horizons mission was the first spacecraft to visit Pluto and the Kuiper Belt.[11]Beyond interplanetary probes, NASA has a long tradition of launching space telescopes. Launched in the 1960s, the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory were NASA's first orbital telescopes, providing ultraviolet, gamma-ray, x-ray, and infrared observations. Not just looking up, NASA launched the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory to look down at Earth and observe its interactions with the Sun. The Uhuru satellite was the first dedicated x-ray telescope, mapping 85% of the sky and discovering a large number of black holes.[11]The Hubble Space Telescope in Low Earth OrbitLaunched in the 1990s and early 2000s, the Great Observatories program are among NASA's most powerful telescopes. The Hubble Space Telescope was launched in 1990 on STS-31 from the Discovery and could view galaxies 15 light years away. A major defect in the telescope's mirror could have cripped the program, had NASA not used computer enhancement to compensate for the imperfection and launched five Space Shuttle servicing flights to replace the damaged components. The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory was launched from the Atlantis on STS-37 in 1991, discovering a possible source of antimatter at the center of the Milky Way and observing that the majority of gamma-ray bursts occur outside of the Milky Way galaxy. The Chandra X-ray Observatory was launched from the Columbia on STS-93 in 1999, observing black holes, quasars, supernova, and dark matter. It provided critical observations on the Sagittarius A* black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy and the separation of dark and regular matter during galactic collisions. Finally, the Spitzer Space Telescope is an infrared telescope and the last of the great observatories, launched in 2003 from a Delta II rocket. It is in a trailing orbit around the Sun, following the Earth and discovered the existence of brown dwarf stars.[11]Other telescopes, such as the Cosmic Background Explorer and the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe, provided evidence to support the Big Bang. The James Webb Space Telescope, named after the NASA administrator who lead the Apollo program, is an infrared observatory launched in 2021. The James Webb Space Telescope is a direct successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, intended to observe the formation of the first galaxies. Other space telescopes include the Kepler space telescope, launched in 2009 to identify planets orbiting extrasolar stars that may be Terran and possibly harbor life. The first exoplanet that the Keplar space telescope confirmed was Kepler-22b, orbiting within the habitable zone of its star.[11]NASA also launched a number of different satellites to study Earth, such as Television Infrared Observation Satellite (TIROS) in 1960, which was the first weather satellite. NASA and the United States Weather Bureau cooperated on future TIROS and the second generation Nimbus program of weather satellites. It also worked with the Environmental Science Services Administration on a series of weather satellites and the agency launched its experimental Applications Technology Satellites into geosynchronous orbit. NASA's first dedicated Earth observation satellite, Landsat, was launched in 1972. This led to NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration jointly developing the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite and discovering Ozone depletion.[11]Space ShuttleMain article: Space ShuttleLaunch of the Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-120NASA had been pursuing spaceplanes since the 1960s, blending the administration's dual aeronautics and space missions. NASA viewed a spaceplane as part of a larger program, providing routine and economical logistical support to a space station in Earth orbit that would be used as a hub for lunar and Mars missions. A reusable launch vehicle would end the need for expensive and expendable boosters like the Saturn V.[11]In 1969, NASA designated the Johnson Space Center as the lead center for developing the design, development, and manufacturing of the Space Shuttle orbiter, while the Marshall Space Flight Center would lead the development of the launch system. NASA's series of lifting body aircraft, culminating in the joint NASA-U.S. Air Force Martin Marietta X-24, directly informed the development of the Space Shuttle and future hypersonic flight aircraft. Official development of the Space Shuttle began in 1972, with Rockwell International contracted to design the orbiter and engines, Martin Marietta for the external fuel tank, and Morton Thiokol for the solid rocket boosters. NASA acquired six orbiters: the Enterprise, Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour[11]The Space Shuttle program also allowed NASA to make dramatic changes to its Astronaut Corps. While almost all previous astronauts were Air Force or Naval test pilots, the Space Shuttle allowed NASA to begin recruiting more non-military scientific and technical experts. A prime example is Sally Ride, who became the first American woman to fly in space on STS-7. It also allowed NASA to accept exchange astronauts from U.S. allies and partners for the first time.[11]The first Space Shuttle flight occurred in 1981, when the Columbia launched on the STS-1 mission, designed to serve as a flight test for the new spaceplane. NASA intended for the Space Shuttle to replace expendable launch systems like the Air Force's Atlas, Delta, and Titan and the European Space Agency's Ariane. The Space Shuttle's Spacelab payload, developed by the European Space Agency, dramatically increased the scientific capabilities of shuttle missions over anything NASA was able to previously accomplish.[11]Space Shuttle Discovery in Low Earth Orbit on STS-120NASA launched its first commercial satellites on the STS-5 mission and in 1984, the STS-41-C mission conducted the world's first on-orbit satellite servicing mission when the Challenger captured and repaired the malfunctioning Solar Maximum Mission satellite. It also had the capability to return malfunctioning satellite to Earth, like it did with the Palapa B2 and Westar 6 satellites. Once returned to Earth, the satellites were repaired and relaunched.[11]Despite ushering in a new era of spaceflight, where NASA was contracting launch services to commercial companies, the Space Shuttle was criticized for not being as reusable and cost-effective as advertised. In 1986, Challenger disaster on the STS-51L mission resulted in the loss of the spacecraft and all seven astronauts on launch, grounding the entire space shuttle fleet for 36 months and forced the 44 commercial companies that contracted with NASA to deploy their satellites to return to expendable launch vehicles. When the Space Shuttle returned to flight with the STS-26 mission, it had undergone significant modifications to improve its reliability and safety.[11]An Air Force Space Command Defense Support Program missile warning spacecraft deploys from the Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-44 missionFollowing the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation and United States initiated the Shuttle-Mir program. The first Russian cosmonaut flew on the STS-60 mission in 1994 and the Discovery rendezvoused, but did not dock with, the Russian Mir in the STS-63 mission. This was followed by Atlantis' STS-71 mission where it accomplished the initial intended mission for the Space Shuttle, docking with a space station and transferring supplies and personnel. The Shuttle-Mir program would continue until 1998, when a series of orbital accidents on the space station spelled an end to the program.[11]In 2003, a second space shuttle was lost when the Columbia was lost upon reentry during the STS-107 mission, resulting in the loss of the spacecraft and all seven astronauts. This accident marked the beginning of the end of the Space Shuttle program, with President George W. Bush directing that upon the completion of the International Space Station, the space shuttle be retired. In 2006, the Space Shuttle returned to flight and flew several additional missions, flying several mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope, but was retired with the completion of the completion of the STS-135 resupply mission to the International Space Station in 2011.Space stationsMain articles: Space Station Freedom and International Space StationSkylab seen on the Skylab 4 missionNASA never gave up on the idea of a space station after Skylab's reentry in 1979. The agency began lobbing politicians to support building a space station as soon as the Space Shuttle began flying, selling it as an orbital laboratory, repair station, and a jumping off point for lunar and Mars missions. NASA found a strong advocate in President Ronald Reagan, who declared in a 1984 speech:America has always been greatest when we dared to be great. We can reach for greatness again. We can follow our dreams to distant stars, living and working in space for peaceful, economic, and scientific gain. Tonight I am directing NASA to develop a permanently manned space station and to do it within a decade.In 1985, NASA proposed the Space Station Freedom, which both the agency and President Reagan intended to be an international program. While this would add legitimacy to the program, there were concerns within NASA that the international component would dilute its authority within the project, having never been willing to work with domestic or international partners as true equals. There was also a concern with sharing sensitive space technologies with the Europeans, which had the potential to dilute America's technical lead. Ultimately, an international agreement to develop the Space Station Freedom program would be signed with thirteen countries in 1985, including the European Space Agency member states, Canada, and Japan.[11]Despite its status as the first international space program, the Space Station Freedom was controversial, with much of the debate centering on cost. Several redesigns to reduce cost were conducted in the early 1990s, stripping away much of its functions. Despite calls for Congress to terminate the program, it continued, in large part because by 1992 it had created 75,000 jobs across 39 states. By 1993, President Bill Clinton attempted to significantly reduce NASA's budget and directed costs be significantly reduced, aerospace industry jobs were not lost, and the Russians be included.[11]The International Space Station seen from the Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-132 missionIn 1993, the Clinton Administration announced that the Space Station Freedom would become the International Space Station in an agreement with the Russian Federation. This allowed the Russians to maintain their space program through an infusion of American currency to maintain their status as one of the two premier space programs. While the United States built and launched the majority of the International Space Station, Russia, Canada, Japan, and the European Space Agency all contributed components. Despite NASA's insistence that costs would be kept at a budget of $17.4, they kept rising and NASA had to transfer funds from other programs to keep the International Space Station solvent. Ultimately, the total cost of the station was $150 billion, with the United States paying for two-thirds.Following the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003, NASA was forced to rely on Russian Soyuz launches for its astronauts and the 2011 retirement of the Space Shuttle accelerated the station's completion.[11]In the 1980s, right after the first flight of the Space Shuttle, NASA started a joint program with the Department of Defense to develop the Rockwell X-30 National Aerospace Plane. NASA realized that the Space Shuttle, while a massive technological accomplishment, would not be able to live up to all its promises. Designed to be a single-stage-to-orbit spaceplane, the X-30 had both civil and military applications. With the end of the Cold War, the X-30 was canceled in 1992 before reaching flight status.[11]Unleashing commercial space and return to the MoonMain articles: Commercial Crew Program and Artemis programLaunch of SpaceX Demo-2 from Kennedy Space Center, the first U.S. crewed space launch since the end of the Space Shuttle programFollowing the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, President Bush started the Constellation program to smoothly replace the Space Shuttle and expand space exploration beyond low Earth orbit. Constellation was intended to use a significant amount of former Space Shuttle equipment and return astronauts to the Moon. This program was canceled by the Obama Administration and former astronauts Neil Armstrong, Gene Cernan, and Jim Lovell sent a letter to President Barack Obama to warn him that if the United States did not get new human spaceflight ability, the U.S. risked become a second or third-rate space power.[11]SpaceX Crew-2 docks with the International Space StationAs early as the Reagan Administration, there had been calls for NASA to expand private sector involvement in space exploration rather than do it all in house. In the 1990s, NASA and Lockheed Martin entered into an agreement to develop the Lockheed Martin X-33 and VentureStar spaceplane, which was intended to replace the Space Shuttle. Due to technical challenges, the spacecraft was cancelled in 2001. Despite this, it was the first time a commercial space company directly expended a significant amount of its own resources into spacecraft development. The advent of space tourism also forced NASA to challenge its assumption that only governments would have people in space. The first space tourist was Dennis Tito, an American investment manager and former aerospace engineer who contracted with the Russians to fly to the International Space Station for four days, despite the opposition of NASA to the idea.[11]Launch of Artemis 1Advocates of this new commercial approach for NASA included former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who remarked that it would return NASA to its roots as a research and development agency, with commercial entities actually operating the space systems. Having corporations take over orbital operations would also allow NASA to focus all its efforts on deep space exploration and returning humans to the Moon and going to Mars. Embracing this approach, NASA's Commercial Crew Program started by contracting cargo delivery to the International Space Station and flew its first operational contracted mission on SpaceX Crew-1. This marked the first time since the retirement of the Space Shuttle that NASA was able to launch its own astronauts on an American spacecraft from the United States, ending a decade of reliance on the Russians.[11]In 2019, NASA announced the Artemis program, intending to return to the Moon and establish a permanent human presence.[15] This was paired with the Artemis Accords with partner nations to establish rules of behavior and norms of space commercialization on the Moon.[16]Active programsHuman spaceflightInternational Space Station (1993–present)Further information: International Space StationThe International Space Station as seen from Space Shuttle Endeavour during STS-134The International Space Station (ISS) combines NASA's Space Station Freedom project with the Soviet/Russian Mir-2 station, the European Columbus station, and the Japanese Kibō laboratory module.[17] NASA originally planned in the 1980s to develop Freedom alone, but US budget constraints led to the merger of these projects into a single multi-national program in 1993, managed by NASA, the Russian Federal Space Agency (RKA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).[18][19] The station consists of pressurized modules, external trusses, solar arrays and other components, which were manufactured in various factories around the world, and have been launched by Russian Proton and Soyuz rockets, and the US Space Shuttles.[17] The on-orbit assembly began in 1998, the completion of the US Orbital Segment occurred in 2009 and the completion of the Russian Orbital Segment occurred in 2010, though there are some debates of whether new modules should be added in the segment. The ownership and use of the space station is established in intergovernmental treaties and agreements[20] which divide the station into two areas and allow Russia to retain full ownership of the Russian Orbital Segment (with the exception of Zarya),[21][22] with the US Orbital Segment allocated between the other international partners.[20]Long-duration missions to the ISS are referred to as ISS Expeditions. Expedition crew members typically spend approximately six months on the ISS.[23] The initial expedition crew size was three, temporarily decreased to two following the Columbia disaster. Since May 2009, expedition crew size has been six crew members.[24] Crew size is expected to be increased to seven, the number the ISS was designed for, once the Commercial Crew Program becomes operational.[25] The ISS has been continuously occupied for the past 23 years and 165 days, having exceeded the previous record held by Mir; and has been visited by astronauts and cosmonauts from 15 different nations.[26][27]The station can be seen from the Earth with the naked eye and, as of 2024, is the largest artificial satellite in Earth orbit with a mass and volume greater than that of any previous space station.[28] The Russian Soyuz and American Dragon spacecraft are used to send astronauts to and from the ISS. Several uncrewed cargo spacecraft provide service to the ISS; they are the Russian Progress spacecraft which has done so since 2000, the European Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) since 2008, the Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) since 2009, the (uncrewed) Dragon since 2012, and the American Cygnus spacecraft since 2013.[29][30] The Space Shuttle, before its retirement, was also used for cargo transfer and would often switch out expedition crew members, although it did not have the capability to remain docked for the duration of their stay. Between the retirement of the Shuttle in 2011 and the commencement of crewed Dragon flights in 2020, American astronauts exclusively used the Soyuz for crew transport to and from the ISS[31] The highest number of people occupying the ISS has been thirteen; this occurred three times during the late Shuttle ISS assembly missions.[32]The ISS program is expected to continue to 2030,[33] after which the space station will be retired and destroyed in a controlled de-orbit.[34]Commercial Resupply Services (2008–present)Further information: Commercial Resupply ServicesDragonCygnusCommercial Resupply Services missions approaching International Space StationCommercial Resupply Services (CRS) are a contract solution to deliver cargo and supplies to the International Space Station (ISS) on a commercial basis.[35] NASA signed its first CRS contracts in 2008 and awarded $1.6 billion to SpaceX for twelve cargo Dragon and $1.9 billion to Orbital Sciences[note 1] for eight Cygnus flights, covering deliveries to 2016. Both companies evolved or created their launch vehicle products to support the solution (SpaceX with The Falcon 9 and Orbital with the Antares).SpaceX flew its first operational resupply mission (SpaceX CRS-1) in 2012.[36] Orbital Sciences followed in 2014 (Cygnus CRS Orb-1).[37] In 2015, NASA extended CRS-1 to twenty flights for SpaceX and twelve flights for Orbital ATK.[note 1][38][39]A second phase of contracts (known as CRS-2) was solicited in 2014; contracts were awarded in January 2016 to Orbital ATK[note 1] Cygnus, Sierra Nevada Corporation Dream Chaser, and SpaceX Dragon 2, for cargo transport flights beginning in 2019 and expected to last through 2024. In March 2022, NASA awarded an additional six CRS-2 missions each to both SpaceX and Northrop Grumman (formerly Orbital).[40]Northrop Grumman successfully delivered Cygnus NG-17 to the ISS in February 2022.[41] In July 2022, SpaceX launched its 25th CRS flight (SpaceX CRS-25) and successfully delivered its cargo to the ISS.[42] In late 2022, Sierra Nevada continued to assemble their Dream Chaser CRS solution; current estimates put its first launch in early 2023.[43]Commercial Crew Program (2011–present)Further information: Commercial Crew ProgramThe Crew Dragon (left) and Starliner (right) approaching the ISS on their respective missionsThe Commercial Crew Program (CCP) provides commercially operated crew transportation service to and from the International Space Station (ISS) under contract to NASA, conducting crew rotations between the expeditions of the International Space Station program. American space manufacturer SpaceX began providing service in 2020, using the Crew Dragon spacecraft,[44] and NASA plans to add Boeing when its Boeing Starliner spacecraft becomes operational some time after 2024.[45] NASA has contracted for six operational missions from Boeing and fourteen from SpaceX, ensuring sufficient support for ISS through 2030.[46]The spacecraft are owned and operated by the vendor, and crew transportation is provided to NASA as a commercial service. Each mission sends up to four astronauts to the ISS, with an option for a fifth passenger available. Operational flights occur approximately once every six months for missions that last for approximately six months. A spacecraft remains docked to the ISS during its mission, and missions usually overlap by at least a few days. Between the retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2011 and the first operational CCP mission in 2020, NASA relied on the Soyuz program to transport its astronauts to the ISS.A Crew Dragon spacecraft is launched to space atop a Falcon 9 Block 5 launch vehicle and the capsule returns to Earth via splashdown in the ocean near Florida. The program's first operational mission, SpaceX Crew-1, launched on November 16, 2020.[47] Boeing Starliner operational flights will now commence after its final test flight which was launched atop an Atlas V N22 launch vehicle. Instead of a splashdown, a Starliner capsule returns on land with airbags at one of four designated sites in the western United States.[48]Artemis (2017–present)Further information: Artemis programAn arrowhead combined with a depiction of a trans-lunar injection trajectory forms an "A", with an "Artemis" wordmark printed underneathSLS with Orion rolling to Launch Complex 39B for tests, Mar 2022Since 2017, NASA's crewed spaceflight program has been the Artemis program, which involves the help of US commercial spaceflight companies and international partners such as ESA, JAXA, and CSA.[49] The goal of this program is to land "the first woman and the next man" on the lunar south pole region by 2025. Artemis would be the first step towards the long-term goal of establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon, laying the foundation for companies to build a lunar economy, and eventually sending humans to Mars.The Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle was held over from the canceled Constellation program for Artemis. Artemis 1 was the uncrewed initial launch of Space Launch System (SLS) that would also send an Orion spacecraft on a Distant Retrograde Orbit.[50]NASA's next major space initiative is to be the construction of the Lunar Gateway, a small space station in lunar orbit.[51] This space station will be designed primarily for non-continuous human habitation. The first tentative steps of returning to crewed lunar missions will be Artemis 2, which is to include the Orion crew module, propelled by the SLS, and is to launch in 2025.[49][52] This mission is to be a 10-day mission planned to briefly place a crew of four into a Lunar flyby.[53] The construction of the Gateway would begin with the proposed Artemis 3, which is planned to deliver a crew of four to Lunar orbit along with the first modules of the Gateway. This mission would last for up to 30 days. NASA plans to build full scale deep space habitats such as the Lunar Gateway and the Nautilus-X as part of its Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) program.[54] In 2017, NASA was directed by the congressional NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017 to get humans to Mars-orbit (or to the Martian surface) by the 2030s.[55][56]In support of the Artemis missions, NASA has been funding private companies to land robotic probes on the lunar surface in a program known as the Commercial Lunar Payload Services. As of March 2022, NASA has awarded contracts for robotic lunar probes to companies such as Intuitive Machines, Firefly Space Systems, and Astrobotic.[57]On April 16, 2021, NASA announced they had selected the SpaceX Lunar Starship as its Human Landing System. The agency's Space Launch System rocket will launch four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft for their multi-day journey to lunar orbit where they will transfer to SpaceX's Starship for the final leg of their journey to the surface of the Moon.[58]In November 2021, it was announced that the goal of landing astronauts on the Moon by 2024 had slipped to no earlier than 2025 due to numerous factors. Artemis 1 launched on November 16, 2022, and returned to Earth safely on December 11, 2022. As of June 2022, NASA plans to launch Artemis 2 in May 2024 and Artemis 3 in December 2025.[59][60] Additional Artemis missions, Artemis 4 and Artemis 5, are planned to launch after 2025.[61]Commercial LEO Development (2021–present)Further information: Commercial LEO Destinations programThe Commercial Low Earth Orbit Destinations program is an initiative by NASA to support work on commercial space stations that the agency hopes to have in place by the end of the current decade to replace the "International Space Station". The three selected companies are: Blue Origin (et al.) with their Orbital Reef station concept, Nanoracks (et al.) with their Starlab Space Station concept, and Northrop Grumman with a station concept based on the HALO-module for the Gateway station.[62]Robotic explorationFurther information: List of NASA missions and List of uncrewed NASA missionsVideo of many of the uncrewed missions used to explore the outer reaches of spaceNASA has conducted many uncrewed and robotic spaceflight programs throughout its history. More than 1,000 uncrewed missions have been designed to explore the Earth and the Solar System.[63]Mission selection processNASA executes a mission development framework to plan, select, develop, and operate robotic missions. This framework defines cost, schedule and technical risk parameters to enable competitive selection of missions involving mission candidates that have been developed by principal investigators and their teams from across NASA, the broader U.S. Government research and development stakeholders, and industry. The mission development construct is defined by four umbrella programs.Explorer programFurther information: Explorers ProgramThe Explorer program derives its origin from the earliest days of the U.S. Space program. In current form, the program consists of three classes of systems – Small Explorers (SMEX), Medium Explorers (MIDEX), and University-Class Explorers (UNEX) missions. The NASA Explorer program office provides frequent flight opportunities for moderate cost innovative solutions from the heliophysics and astrophysics science areas. The Small Explorer missions are required to limit cost to NASA to below $150M (2022 dollars). Medium class explorer missions have typically involved NASA cost caps of $350M. The Explorer program office is based at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.[64]Discovery programFurther information: Discovery ProgramThe NASA Discovery program develops and delivers robotic spacecraft solutions in the planetary science domain. Discovery enables scientists and engineers to assemble a team to deliver a solution against a defined set of objectives and competitively offer that solution against other candidate programs. Cost caps vary but recent mission selection processes were accomplished using a $500M cost cap for NASA. The Planetary Mission Program Office is based at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and manages both the Discovery and New Frontiers missions. The office is part of the Science Mission Directorate.[65]NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced on June 2, 2021, that the DAVINCI+ and VERITAS missions were selected to launch to Venus in the late 2020s, having beat out competing proposals for missions to Jupiter's volcanic moon Io and Neptune's large moon Triton that were also selected as Discovery program finalists in early 2020. Each mission has an estimated cost of $500 million, with launches expected between 2028 and 2030. Launch contracts will be awarded later in each mission's development.[66]New Frontiers programFurther information: New Frontiers programThe New Frontiers program focuses on specific Solar System exploration goals identified as top priorities by the planetary science community. Primary objectives include Solar System exploration employing medium class spacecraft missions to conduct high-science-return investigations. New Frontiers builds on the development approach employed by the Discovery program but provides for higher cost caps and schedule durations than are available with Discovery. Cost caps vary by opportunity; recent missions have been awarded based on a defined cap of $1 billion. The higher cost cap and projected longer mission durations result in a lower frequency of new opportunities for the program – typically one every several years. OSIRIS-REx and New Horizons are examples of New Frontiers missions.[67]NASA has determined that the next opportunity to propose for the fifth round of New Frontiers missions will occur no later than the fall of 2024. Missions in NASA's New Frontiers Program tackle specific Solar System exploration goals identified as top priorities by the planetary science community. Exploring the Solar System with medium-class spacecraft missions that conduct high-science-return investigations is NASA's strategy to further understand the Solar System.[68]Large strategic missionsFurther information: Large strategic science missionsLarge strategic missions (formerly called Flagship missions) are strategic missions that are typically developed and managed by large teams that may span several NASA centers. The individual missions become the program as opposed to being part of a larger effort (see Discovery, New Frontiers, etc.). The James Webb Space Telescope is a strategic mission that was developed over a period of more than 20 years. Strategic missions are developed on an ad-hoc basis as program objectives and priorities are established. Missions like Voyager, had they been developed today, would have been strategic missions. Three of the Great Observatories were strategic missions (the Chandra X-ray Observatory, the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, and the Hubble Space Telescope). Europa Clipper is the next large strategic mission in development by NASA.Planetary science missionsNASA continues to play a material role in exploration of the Solar System as it has for decades. Ongoing missions have current science objectives with respect to more than five extraterrestrial bodies within the Solar System – Moon (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter), Mars (Perseverance rover), Jupiter (Juno), asteroid Bennu (OSIRIS-REx), and Kuiper Belt Objects (New Horizons). The Juno extended mission will make multiple flybys of the Jovian moon Io in 2023 and 2024 after flybys of Ganymede in 2021 and Europa in 2022. Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 continue to provide science data back to Earth while continuing on their outward journeys into interstellar space.On November 26, 2011, NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission was successfully launched for Mars. The Curiosity rover successfully landed on Mars on August 6, 2012, and subsequently began its search for evidence of past or present life on Mars.[69][70][71]In September 2014, NASA's MAVEN spacecraft, which is part of the Mars Scout Program, successfully entered Mars orbit and, as of October 2022, continues its study of the atmosphere of Mars.[72][73] NASA's ongoing Mars investigations include in-depth surveys of Mars by the Perseverance rover and InSight).NASA's Europa Clipper, planned for launch in October 2024, will study the Galilean moon Europa through a series of flybys while in orbit around Jupiter. Dragonfly will send a mobile robotic rotorcraft to Saturn's biggest moon, Titan.[74] As of May 2021, Dragonfly is scheduled for launch in June 2027.[75][76]Astrophysics missionsNASA astrophysics spacecraft fleet, credit NASA GSFC, 2022The NASA Science Mission Directorate Astrophysics division manages the agency's astrophysics science portfolio. NASA has invested significant resources in the development, delivery, and operations of various forms of space telescopes. These telescopes have provided the means to study the cosmos over a large range of the electromagnetic spectrum.[77]The Great Observatories that were launched in the 1980s and 1990s have provided a wealth of observations for study by physicists across the planent. The first of them, the Hubble Space Telescope, was delivered to orbit in 1990 and continues to function, in part due to prior servicing missions performed by the Space Shuttle.[78][79] The other remaining active great observatories include the Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO), launched by STS-93 in July 1999 and is now in a 64-hour elliptical orbit studying X-ray sources that are not readily viewable from terrestrial observatories.[80]Chandra X-ray Observatory (rendering), 2015The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) is a space observatory designed to improve the understanding of X-ray production in objects such as neutron stars and pulsar wind nebulae, as well as stellar and supermassive black holes.[81] IXPE launched in December 2021 and is an international collaboration between NASA and the Italian Space Agency (ASI). It is part of the NASA Small Explorers program (SMEX) which designs low-cost spacecraft to study heliophysics and astrophysics.[82]The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory was launched in November 2004 and is Gamma-ray burst observatory that also monitors the afterglow in X-ray, and UV/Visible light at the location of a burst.[83] The mission was developed in a joint partnership between Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and an international consortium from the United States, United Kingdom, and Italy. Pennsylvania State University operates the mission as part of NASA's Medium Explorer program (MIDEX).[84]The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (FGST) is another gamma-ray focused space observatory that was launched to low Earth orbit in June 2008 and is being used to perform gamma-ray astronomy observations.[85] In addition to NASA, the mission involves the United States Department of Energy, and government agencies in France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Sweden.[86]The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), launched in December 2021 on an Ariane 5 rocket, operates in a halo orbit circling the Sun-Earth L2 point.[87][88][89] JWST's high sensitivity in the infrared spectrum and its imaging resolution will allow it to view more distant, faint, or older objects than its predecessors, including Hubble.[90]Earth Sciences Program missions (1965–present)Further information: NASA Earth ScienceSchematic of NASA Earth Science Division operating satellite missions as of February 2015NASA Earth Science is a large, umbrella program comprising a range of terrestrial and space-based collection systems in order to better understand the Earth system and its response to natural and human-caused changes. Numerous systems have been developed and fielded over several decades to provide improved prediction for weather, climate, and other changes in the natural environment. Several of the current operating spacecraft programs include: Aqua,[91] Aura,[92] Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2 (OCO-2),[93] Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-on (GRACE FO),[94] and Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite 2 (ICESat-2).[95]In addition to systems already in orbit, NASA is designing a new set of Earth Observing Systems to study, assess, and generate responses for climate change, natural hazards, forest fires, and real-time agricultural processes.[96] The GOES-T satellite (designated GOES-18 after launch) joined the fleet of U.S. geostationary weather monitoring satellites in March 2022.[97]NASA also maintains the Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) program to oversee the life cycle of NASA's Earth science data — from acquisition through processing and distribution. The primary goal of ESDS is to maximize the scientific return from NASA's missions and experiments for research and applied scientists, decision makers, and society at large.[98]The Earth Science program is managed by the Earth Science Division of the NASA Science Mission Directorate.Space operations architectureNASA invests in various ground and space-based infrastructures to support its science and exploration mandate. The agency maintains access to suborbital and orbital space launch capabilities and sustains ground station solutions to support its evolving fleet of spacecraft and remote systems.Deep Space Network (1963–present)Further information: NASA Deep Space NetworkThe NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) serves as the primary ground station solution for NASA's interplanetary spacecraft and select Earth-orbiting missions.[99] The system employs ground station complexes near Barstow California in the United States, in Spain near Madrid, and in Australia near Canberra. The placement of these ground stations approximately 120 degrees apart around the planet provides the ability for communications to spacecraft throughout the Solar System even as the Earth rotates about its axis on a daily basis. The system is controlled at a 24x7 operations center at JPL in Pasadena California which manages recurring communications linkages with up to 40 spacecraft.[100] The system is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).[99]Near Space Network (1983–present)Further information: Near Earth Network and Tracking and Data Relay Satellite SystemNear Earth Network Ground Stations, 2021The Near Space Network (NSN) provides telemetry, commanding, ground-based tracking, data and communications services to a wide range of customers with satellites in low earth orbit (LEO), geosynchronous orbit (GEO), highly elliptical orbits (HEO), and lunar orbits. The NSN accumulates ground station and antenna assets from the Near-Earth Network and the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRS) which operates in geosynchronous orbit providing continuous real-time coverage for launch vehicles and low earth orbit NASA missions.[101]The NSN consists of 19 ground stations worldwide operated by the US Government and by contractors including Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), Swedish Space Corporation (SSC), and South African National Space Agency (SANSA).[102] The ground network averages between 120 and 150 spacecraft contacts a day with TDRS engaging with systems on a near-continuous basis as needed; the system is managed and operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center.[103]Sounding Rocket Program (1959–present)Further information: NASA Sounding Rocket ProgramNASA sounding rocket launch from the Wallops Flight FacilityThe NASA Sounding Rocket Program (NSRP) is located at the Wallops Flight Facility and provides launch capability, payload development and integration, and field operations support to execute suborbital missions.[104] The program has been in operation since 1959 and is managed by the Goddard Space Flight Center using a combined US Government and contractor team.[105] The NSRP team conducts approximately 20 missions per year from both Wallops and other launch locations worldwide to allow scientists to collect data "where it occurs". The program supports the strategic vision of the Science Mission Directorate collecting important scientific data for earth science, heliophysics, and astrophysics programs.[104]In June 2022, NASA conducted its first rocket launch from a commercial spaceport outside the US. It launched a Black Brant IX from the Arnhem Space Centre in Australia.[106]Launch Services Program (1990–present)Further information: NASA Launch Services ProgramThe NASA Launch Services Program (LSP) is responsible for procurement of launch services for NASA uncrewed missions and oversight of launch integration and launch preparation activity, providing added quality and mission assurance to meet program objectives.[107] Since 1990, NASA has purchased expendable launch vehicle launch services directly from commercial providers, whenever possible, for its scientific and applications missions. Expendable launch vehicles can accommodate all types of orbit inclinations and altitudes and are ideal vehicles for launching Earth-orbit and interplanetary missions. LSP operates from Kennedy Space Center and falls under the NASA Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD).[108][109]Aeronautics ResearchFurther information: NASA research and Aeronautics Research Mission DirectorateThe Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) is one of five mission directorates within NASA, the other four being the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, the Space Operations Mission Directorate, the Science Mission Directorate, and the Space Technology Mission Directorate.[110] The ARMD is responsible for NASA's aeronautical research, which benefits the commercial, military, and general aviation sectors. ARMD performs its aeronautics research at four NASA facilities: Ames Research Center and Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, Glenn Research Center in Ohio, and Langley Research Center in Virginia.[111]NASA X-57 Maxwell aircraft (2016–present)Further information: NASA X-57 MaxwellThe NASA X-57 Maxwell is an experimental aircraft being developed by NASA to demonstrate the technologies required to deliver a highly efficient all-electric aircraft.[112] The primary goal of the program is to develop and deliver all-electric technology solutions that can also achieve airworthiness certification with regulators. The program involves development of the system in several phases, or modifications, to incrementally grow the capability and operability of the system. The initial configuration of the aircraft has now completed ground testing as it approaches its first flights. In mid-2022, the X-57 was scheduled to fly before the end of the year.[113] The development team includes staff from the NASA Armstrong, Glenn, and Langley centers along with number of industry partners from the United States and Italy.[114]Next Generation Air Transportation System (2007–present)Further information: Next Generation Air Transportation SystemNASA is collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration and industry stakeholders to modernize the United States National Airspace System (NAS). Efforts began in 2007 with a goal to deliver major modernization components by 2025.[115] The modernization effort intends to increase the safety, efficiency, capacity, access, flexibility, predictability, and resilience of the NAS while reducing the environmental impact of aviation.[116] The Aviation Systems Division of NASA Ames operates the joint NASA/FAA North Texas Research Station. The station supports all phases of NextGen research, from concept development to prototype system field evaluation. This facility has already transitioned advanced NextGen concepts and technologies to use through technology transfers to the FAA.[115] NASA contributions also include development of advanced automation concepts and tools that provide air traffic controllers, pilots, and other airspace users with more accurate real-time information about the nation's traffic flow, weather, and routing. Ames' advanced airspace modeling and simulation tools have been used extensively to model the flow of air traffic flow across the U.S., and to evaluate new concepts in airspace design, traffic flow management, and optimization.[117]Technology researchFor technologies funded or otherwise supported by NASA, see NASA spinoff technologies.Nuclear in-space power and propulsion (ongoing)NASA has made use of technologies such as the multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator (MMRTG), which is a type of radioisotope thermoelectric generator used to power spacecraft.[118] Shortages of the required plutonium-238 have curtailed deep space missions since the turn of the millennium.[119] An example of a spacecraft that was not developed because of a shortage of this material was New Horizons 2.[119]In July 2021, NASA announced contract awards for development of nuclear thermal propulsion reactors. Three contractors will develop individual designs over 12 months for later evaluation by NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy.[120] NASA's space nuclear technologies portfolio are led and funded by its Space Technology Mission Directorate.In January 2023, NASA announced a partnership with Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency on the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) program to demonstrate a NTR engine in space, an enabling capability for NASA missions to Mars.[121] In July 2023, NASA and DARPA jointly announced the award of $499 million to Lockheed Martin to design and build an experimental NTR rocket to be launched in 2027.[122]Other initiativesFree Space Optics. NASA contracted a third party to study the probability of using Free Space Optics (FSO) to communicate with Optical (laser) Stations on the Ground (OGS) called laser-com RF networks for satellite communications.[123]Water Extraction from Lunar Soil. On July 29, 2020, NASA requested American universities to propose new technologies for extracting water from the lunar soil and developing power systems. The idea will help the space agency conduct sustainable exploration of the Moon.[124]In 2024, NASA was tasked by the US Government to create a Time standard for the Moon. The standard is to be called Coordinated Lunar Time and is expected to be finalized in 2026.[125]Human Spaceflight Research (2005–present)SpaceX Crew-4 astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti operating the rHEALTH ONE on the ISS to address key health risks for space travelNASA's Human Research Program (HRP) is designed to study the effects of space on human health and also to provide countermeasures and technologies for human space exploration. The medical effects of space exploration are reasonably limited in low Earth orbit or in travel to the Moon. Travel to Mars is significantly longer and deeper into space, significant medical issues can result. These include bone density loss, radiation exposure, vision changes, circadian rhythm disturbances, heart remodeling, and immune alterations. In order to study and diagnose these ill-effects, HRP has been tasked with identifying or developing small portable instrumentation with low mass, volume, and power to monitor the health of astronauts.[126] To achieve this aim, on May 13, 2022, NASA and SpaceX Crew-4 astronauts successfully tested its rHEALTH ONE universal biomedical analyzer for its ability to identify and analyzer biomarkers, cells, microorganisms, and proteins in a spaceflight environment.[127]Planetary Defense (2016–present)Further information: Planetary Defense Coordination Office and Near Earth ObjectsNASA established the Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO) in 2016 to catalog and track potentially hazardous near-Earth objects (NEO), such as asteroids and comets and develop potential responses and defenses against these threats.[128] The PDCO is chartered to provide timely and accurate information to the government and the public on close approaches by Potentially hazardous objects (PHOs) and any potential for impact. The office functions within the Science Mission Directorate Planetary Science division.[129]The PDCO augmented prior cooperative actions between the United States, the European Union, and other nations which had been scanning the sky for NEOs since 1998 in an effort called Spaceguard.[130]Near Earth object detection (1998–present)From the 1990s NASA has run many NEO detection programs from Earth bases observatories, greatly increasing the number of objects that have been detected. Many asteroids are very dark and those near the Sun are much harder to detect from Earth-based telescopes which observe at night, and thus face away from the Sun. NEOs inside Earth orbit only reflect a part of light also rather than potentially a "full Moon" when they are behind the Earth and fully lit by the Sun.In 1998, the United States Congress gave NASA a mandate to detect 90% of near-Earth asteroids over 1 km (0.62 mi) diameter (that threaten global devastation) by 2008.[131] This initial mandate was met by 2011.[132] In 2005, the original USA Spaceguard mandate was extended by the George E. Brown, Jr. Near-Earth Object Survey Act, which calls for NASA to detect 90% of NEOs with diameters of 140 m (460 ft) or greater, by 2020 (compare to the 20-meter Chelyabinsk meteor that hit Russia in 2013).[133] As of January 2020, it is estimated that less than half of these have been found, but objects of this size hit the Earth only about once in 2,000 years.[134]In January 2020, NASA officials estimated it would take 30 years to find all objects meeting the 140 m (460 ft) size criteria, more than twice the timeframe that was built into the 2005 mandate.[135] In June 2021, NASA authorized the development of the NEO Surveyor spacecraft to reduce that projected duration to achieve the mandate down to 10 years.[136][137]Involvement in current robotic missionsNASA has incorporated planetary defense objectives into several ongoing missions.In 1999, NASA visited 433 Eros with the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft which entered its orbit in 2000, closely imaging the asteroid with various instruments at that time.[138] NEAR Shoemaker became the first spacecraft to successfully orbit and land on an asteroid, improving our understanding of these bodies and demonstrating our capacity to study them in greater detail.[139]OSIRIS-REx used its suite of instruments to transmit radio tracking signals and capture optical images of Bennu during its study of the asteroid that will help NASA scientists determine its precise position in the solar system and its exact orbital path. As Bennu has the potential for recurring approaches to the Earth-Moon system in the next 100–200 years, the precision gained from OSIRIS-REx will enable scientists to better predict the future gravitational interactions between Bennu and our planet and resultant changes in Bennu's onward flight path.[140][141]The WISE/NEOWISE mission was launched by NASA JPL in 2009 as an infrared-wavelength astronomical space telescope. In 2013, NASA repurposed it as the NEOWISE mission to find potentially hazardous near-Earth asteroids and comets; its mission has been extended into 2023.[142][143]NASA and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (JHAPL) jointly developed the first planetary defense purpose-built satellite, the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) to test possible planetary defense concepts.[144] DART was launched in November 2021 by a SpaceX Falcon 9 from California on a trajectory designed to impact the Dimorphos asteroid. Scientists were seeking to determine whether an impact could alter the subsequent path of the asteroid; a concept that could be applied to future planetary defense.[145] On September 26, 2022, DART hit its target. In the weeks following impact, NASA declared DART a success, confirming it had shortened Dimorphos' orbital period around Didymos by about 32 minutes, surpassing the pre-defined success threshold of 73 seconds.[146][147]NEO Surveyor, formerly called the Near-Earth Object Camera (NEOCam) mission, is a space-based infrared telescope under development to survey the Solar System for potentially hazardous asteroids.[148] The spacecraft is scheduled to launch in 2026.Study of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (2022–present)In June 2022, the head of the NASA Science Mission Directorate, Thomas Zurbuchen, confirmed the start of NASA's UAP independent study team.[149] At a speech before the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, Zurbuchen said the space agency would bring a scientific perspective to efforts already underway by the Pentagon and intelligence agencies to make sense of dozens of such sightings. He said it was "high-risk, high-impact" research that the space agency should not shy away from, even if it is a controversial field of study.[150]CollaborationNASA Advisory CouncilIn response to the Apollo 1 accident, which killed three astronauts in 1967, Congress directed NASA to form an Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) to advise the NASA Administrator on safety issues and hazards in NASA's air and space programs. In the aftermath of the Shuttle Columbia disaster, Congress required that the ASAP submit an annual report to the NASA Administrator and to Congress.[151] By 1971, NASA had also established the Space Program Advisory Council and the Research and Technology Advisory Council to provide the administrator with advisory committee support. In 1977, the latter two were combined to form the NASA Advisory Council (NAC).[152] The NASA Authorization Act of 2014 reaffirmed the importance of ASAP.National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)Further information: National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationNASA and NOAA have cooperated for decades on the development, delivery and operation of polar and geosynchronous weather satellites.[153] The relationship typically involves NASA developing the space systems, launch solutions, and ground control technology for the satellites and NOAA operating the systems and delivering weather forecasting products to users. Multiple generations of NOAA Polar orbiting platforms have operated to provide detailed imaging of weather from low altitude.[154] Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) provide near-real-time coverage of the western hemisphere to ensure accurate and timely understanding of developing weather phenomenon.[155]United States Space ForceFurther information: United States Space ForceThe United States Space Force (USSF) is the space service branch of the United States Armed Forces, while the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for civil spaceflight. NASA and the Space Force's predecessors in the Air Force have a long-standing cooperative relationship, with the Space Force supporting NASA launches out of Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and Vandenberg Space Force Base, to include range support and rescue operations from Task Force 45.[156] NASA and the Space Force also partner on matters such as defending Earth from asteroids.[157] Space Force members can be NASA astronauts, with Colonel Michael S. Hopkins, the commander of SpaceX Crew-1, commissioned into the Space Force from the International Space Station on December 18, 2020.[158][159][160] In September 2020, the Space Force and NASA signed a memorandum of understanding formally acknowledging the joint role of both agencies. This new memorandum replaced a similar document signed in 2006 between NASA and Air Force Space Command.[161][162]U.S. Geological SurveyFurther information: United States Geological Survey and Landsat 9The Landsat program is the longest-running enterprise for acquisition of satellite imagery of Earth. It is a joint NASA / USGS program.[163] On July 23, 1972, the Earth Resources Technology Satellite was launched. This was eventually renamed to Landsat 1 in 1975.[164] The most recent satellite in the series, Landsat 9, was launched on September 27, 2021.[165]The instruments on the Landsat satellites have acquired millions of images. The images, archived in the United States and at Landsat receiving stations around the world, are a unique resource for global change research and applications in agriculture, cartography, geology, forestry, regional planning, surveillance and education, and can be viewed through the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) "EarthExplorer" website. The collaboration between NASA and USGS involves NASA designing and delivering the space system (satellite) solution, launching the satellite into orbit with the USGS operating the system once in orbit.[163] As of October 2022, nine satellites have been built with eight of them successfully operating in orbit.European Space Agency (ESA)Further information: European Space AgencyNASA collaborates with the European Space Agency on a wide range of scientific and exploration requirements.[166] From participation with the Space Shuttle (the Spacelab missions) to major roles on the Artemis program (the Orion Service Module), ESA and NASA have supported the science and exploration missions of each agency. There are NASA payloads on ESA spacecraft and ESA payloads on NASA spacecraft. The agencies have developed joint missions in areas including heliophysics (e.g. Solar Orbiter)[167] and astronomy (Hubble Space Telescope, James Webb Space Telescope).[168] Under the Artemis Gateway partnership, ESA will contribute habitation and refueling modules, along with enhanced lunar communications, to the Gateway.[169][170] NASA and ESA continue to advance cooperation in relation to Earth Science including climate change with agreements to cooperate on various missions including the Sentinel-6 series of spacecraft[171]Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)Further information: Japan Aerospace Exploration AgencyNASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) cooperate on a range of space projects. JAXA is a direct participant in the Artemis program, including the Lunar Gateway effort. JAXA's planned contributions to Gateway include I-Hab's environmental control and life support system, batteries, thermal control, and imagery components, which will be integrated into the module by the European Space Agency (ESA) prior to launch. These capabilities are critical for sustained Gateway operations during crewed and uncrewed time periods.[172][173]JAXA and NASA have collaborated on numerous satellite programs, especially in areas of Earth science. NASA has contributed to JAXA satellites and vice versa. Japanese instruments are flying on NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites, and NASA sensors have flown on previous Japanese Earth-observation missions. The NASA-JAXA Global Precipitation Measurement mission was launched in 2014 and includes both NASA- and JAXA-supplied sensors on a NASA satellite launched on a JAXA rocket. The mission provides the frequent, accurate measurements of rainfall over the entire globe for use by scientists and weather forecasters.[174]RoscosmosFurther information: RoscosmosNASA and Roscosmos have cooperated on the development and operation of the International Space Station since September 1993.[175] The agencies have used launch systems from both countries to deliver station elements to orbit. Astronauts and Cosmonauts jointly maintain various elements of the station. Both countries provide access to the station via launch systems noting Russia's unique role as the sole provider of delivery of crew and cargo upon retirement of the space shuttle in 2011 and prior to commencement of NASA COTS and crew flights. In July 2022, NASA and Roscosmos signed a deal to share space station flights enabling crew from each country to ride on the systems provided by the other.[176] Current geopolitical conditions in late 2022 make it unlikely that cooperation will be extended to other programs such as Artemis or lunar exploration.[177]Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)Further information: ISROIn September 2014, NASA and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed a partnership to collaborate on and launch a joint radar mission, the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperature Radar (NISAR) mission. The mission is targeted to launch in 2024. NASA will provide the mission's L-band synthetic aperture radar, a high-rate communication subsystem for science data, GPS receivers, a solid-state recorder and payload data subsystem. ISRO provides the spacecraft bus, the S-band radar, the launch vehicle and associated launch services.[178][179]Artemis AccordsFurther information: Artemis AccordsThe Artemis Accords have been established to define a framework for cooperating in the peaceful exploration and exploitation of the Moon, Mars, asteroids, and comets. The Accords were drafted by NASA and the U.S. State Department and are executed as a series of bilateral agreements between the United States and the participating countries.[180][181] As of September 2022, 21 countries have signed the accords. They are Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.[182][183]China National Space AdministrationFurther information: Wolf Amendment and China National Space AdministrationThe Wolf Amendment was passed by the U.S. Congress into law in 2011 and prevents NASA from engaging in direct, bilateral cooperation with the Chinese government and China-affiliated organizations such as the China National Space Administration without the explicit authorization from Congress and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The law has been renewed annually since by inclusion in annual appropriations Bill Nelson (2021–present)The agency's administration is located at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, and provides overall guidance and direction.[185] Except under exceptional circumstances, NASA civil service employees are required to be US citizens.[186] NASA's administrator is nominated by the President of the United States subject to the approval of the US Senate,[187] and serves at the President's pleasure as a senior space science advisor. The current administrator is Bill Nelson, appointed by President Joe offeren, since May 3, 2021.[188]Strategic planNASA operates with four FY2022 strategic goals.[189]Expand human knowledge through new scientific discoveriesExtend human presence to the Moon and on towards Mars for sustainable long-term exploration, development, and utilizationCatalyze economic growth and drive innovation to address national challengesEnhance capabilities and operations to catalyze current and future mission successBudgetFurther information: Budget of NASANASA budget requests are developed by NASA and approved by the administration prior to submission to the U.S. Congress. Authorized budgets are those that have been included in enacted appropriations bills that are approved by both houses of Congress and enacted into law by the U.S. president.[190]NASA fiscal year budget requests and authorized budgets are provided below.Year Budget Requestin bil. US$ Authorized Budgetin bil. US$ U.S. GovernmentEmployees2018 $19.092[191] $20.736[192] 17,551[193]2019 $19.892[192] $21.500[194] 17,551[195]2020 $22.613[194] $22.629[196] 18,048[197]2021 $25.246[196] $23.271[198] 18,339[199]2022 $24.802[198] $24.041[200] 18,400 estOrganizationNASA funding and priorities are developed through its six Mission Directorates.Mission Directorate Associate Administrator % of NASA Budget (FY22)[198]Aeronautics Research (ARMD) Catherine A. Koerner[201] 4%Exploration Systems Development (ESDMD) James Free[202] 28%Space Operations (SOMD) Kenneth Bowersox[203] 17%Science (SMD) Nicola Fox[204] 32%Space Technology (STMD) Kurt Vogel [205] 5%Mission Support (MSD) Robert Gibbs[206] 14%Center-wide activities such as the Chief Engineer and Safety and Mission Assurance organizations are aligned to the headquarters function. The MSD budget estimate includes funds for these HQ functions. The administration operates 10 major field centers with several managing additional subordinate facilities across the country. Each is led by a Center Director (data below valid as of September 1, 2022).Field Center Primary Location Center DirectorAmes Research Center Mountain View, California Eugene L. Tu[207]Armstrong Flight Research Center Palmdale, California Brad Flick (acting)[208]Glenn Research Center Cleveland, Ohio James A. Kenyon (acting)[209]Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland Makenzie Lystrup[210]Jet Propulsion Laboratory La Canada-Flintridge, California Laurie Leshin[211]Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas Vanessa E. Wyche[212]Kennedy Space Center Merritt Island, Florida Janet Petro[213]Langley Research Center Hampton, Virginia Clayton Turner[214]Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, Alabama Jody Singer[215]Stennis Space Center Hancock County, Mississippi Richard J. impactThe exhaust gases produced by rocket propulsion systems, both in Earth's atmosphere and in space, can adversely affect the Earth's environment. Some hypergolic rocket propellants, such as hydrazine, are highly toxic prior to combustion, but decompose into less toxic compounds after burning. Rockets using hydrocarbon fuels, such as kerosene, release carbon dioxide and soot in their exhaust.[217] Carbon dioxide emissions are insignificant compared to those from other sources; on average, the United States consumed 803 million US gal (3.0 million m3) of liquid fuels per day in 2014, while a single Falcon 9 rocket first stage burns around 25,000 US gallons (95 m3) of kerosene fuel per launch.[218][219] Even if a Falcon 9 were launched every single day, it would only represent 0.006% of liquid fuel consumption (and carbon dioxide emissions) for that day. Additionally, the exhaust from LOx- and LH2- fueled engines, like the SSME, is almost entirely water vapor.[220] NASA addressed environmental concerns with its canceled Constellation program in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act in 2011.[221] In contrast, ion engines use harmless noble gases like xenon for propulsion.[222][223]An example of NASA's environmental efforts is the NASA Sustainability Base. Additionally, the Exploration Sciences Building was awarded the LEED Gold rating in 2010.[224] On May 8, 2003, the Environmental Protection Agency recognized NASA as the first federal agency to directly use landfill gas to produce energy at one of its facilities—the Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland.[225]In 2018, NASA along with other companies including Sensor Coating Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Monitor Coating and UTRC launched the project CAUTION (CoAtings for Ultra High Temperature detectION). This project aims to enhance the temperature range of the Thermal History Coating up to 1,500 °C (2,730 °F) and beyond. The final goal of this project is improving the safety of jet engines as well as increasing efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions.[226]Climate changeNASA also researches and publishes on climate change.[227] Its statements concur with the global scientific consensus that the global climate is warming.[228] Bob Walker, who has advised US President Donald Trump on space issues, has advocated that NASA should focus on space exploration and that its climate study operations should be transferred to other agencies such as NOAA. Former NASA atmospheric scientist J. Marshall Shepherd countered that Earth science study was built into NASA's mission at its creation in the 1958 National Aeronautics and Space Act.[229] NASA won the 2020 Webby People's Voice Award for Green in the category Web.[230]STEM InitiativesFurther information: STEMEducational Launch of Nanosatellites (ELaNa). Since 2011, the ELaNa program has provided opportunities for NASA to work with university teams to test emerging technologies and commercial-off-the-shelf solutions by providing launch opportunities for developed CubeSats using NASA procured launch opportunities.[231] By example, two NASA-sponsored CubeSats launched in June 2022 on a Virgin Orbit LauncherOne vehicle as the ELaNa 39 mission.[232]Cubes in Space. NASA started an annual competition in 2014 named "Cubes in Space".[233] It is jointly organized by NASA and the global education company I Doodle Learning, with the objective of teaching school students aged 11–18 to design and build scientific experiments to be launched into space on a NASA rocket or balloon. On June 21, 2017, the world's smallest satellite, KalamSAT, was launched.[234]Use of the metric systemUS law requires the International System of Units to be used in all US Government programs, "except where impractical".[235]In 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the Moon using a mix of United States customary units and metric units. In the 1980s, NASA started the transition towards the metric system, but was still using both systems in the 1990s.[236][237] On September 23, 1999, a mixup between NASA's use of SI units and Lockheed Martin Space's use of US units resulted in the loss of the Mars Climate Orbiter.[238]In August 2007, NASA stated that all future missions and explorations of the Moon would be done entirely using the SI system. This was done to improve cooperation with space agencies of other countries that already use the metric system.[239] As of 2007, NASA is predominantly working with SI units, but some projects still use US units, and some, including the International Space Station, use a mix of both.[240]Media presenceNASA TVFurther information: NASA TVApproaching 40 years of service, the NASA TV channel airs content ranging from live coverage of crewed missions to video coverage of significant milestones for operating robotic spacecraft (e.g. rover landings on Mars) and domestic and international launches.[241] The channel is delivered by NASA and is broadcast by satellite and over the Internet. The system initially started to capture archival footage of important space events for NASA managers and engineers and expanded as public interest grew. The Apollo 8 Christmas Eve broadcast while in orbit around the Moon was received by more than a billion people.[242] NASA's video transmission of the Apollo 11 Moon landing was awarded a primetime Emmy in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the landing.[243] The channel is a product of the U.S. Government and is widely available across many television and Internet platforms.[244]NASAcastNASAcast is the official audio and video podcast of the NASA website. Created in late 2005, the podcast service contains the latest audio and video features from the NASA web site, including NASA TV's This Week at NASA and educational materials produced by NASA. Additional NASA podcasts, such as Science@NASA, are also featured and give subscribers an in-depth look at content by subject matter.[245]NASA EDGENASA EDGE broadcasting live from White Sands Missile Range in 2010NASA EDGE is a video podcast which explores different missions, technologies and projects developed by NASA. The program was released by NASA on March 18, 2007, and, as of August 2020, there have been 200 vodcasts produced. It is a public outreach vodcast sponsored by NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate and based out of the Exploration and Space Operations Directorate at Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. The NASA EDGE team takes an insider's look at current projects and technologies from NASA facilities around the United States, and it is depicted through personal interviews, on-scene broadcasts, computer animations, and personal interviews with top scientists and engineers at NASA.[note 2]The show explores the contributions NASA has made to society as well as the progress of current projects in materials and space exploration. NASA EDGE vodcasts can be downloaded from the NASA website and from iTunes.In its first year of production, the show was downloaded over 450,000 times. As of February 2010, the average download rate is more than 420,000 per month, with over one million downloads in December 2009 and January 2010.[247]NASA and the NASA EDGE have also developed interactive programs designed to complement the vodcast. The Lunar Electric Rover App allows users to drive a simulated Lunar Electric Rover between objectives, and it provides information about and images of the vehicle.[248] The NASA EDGE Widget provides a graphical user interface for accessing NASA EDGE vodcasts, image galleries, and the program's Twitter feed, as well as a live NASA news feed.[249]Astronomy Picture of the DayThis section is an excerpt from Astronomy Picture of the Day.[edit]Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) is a website provided by NASA and Michigan Technological University (MTU). It reads: "Each day a different image or photograph of our universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer."[250] The photograph does not necessarily correspond to a celestial event on the exact day that it is displayed, and images are sometimes repeated.[251] These often relate to current events in astronomy and space exploration. The text has several hyperlinks to more pictures and websites for more information. The images are either visible spectrum photographs, images taken at non-visible wavelengths and displayed in false color, video footage, animations, artist's conceptions, or micrographs that relate to space or cosmology.Past images are stored in the APOD Archive, with the first image appearing on June 16, 1995.[252] This initiative has received support from NASA, the National Science Foundation, and MTU. The images are sometimes authored by people or organizations outside NASA, and therefore APOD images are often copyrighted, unlike many other NASA image galleries.[253]NASA+Main article: NASA+In July 2023, NASA announced a new streaming service known as NASA+. It launched on November 8, 2023, and has live coverage of launches, documentaries and original programs. According to NASA, it will be free of ads and subscription fees. It will be a part of the NASA app on iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on the web on desktop and mobile devices.[254][255][256]GalleryNASA spacecraft observations of the Solar SystemSun image by Solar Dynamics Observatory, 2010Sun image by Solar Dynamics Observatory, 2010Planet Mercury image by MESSENGER, 2008Planet Mercury image by MESSENGER, 2008Planet Venus image by Mariner 10, 1974Planet Venus image by Mariner 10, 1974Planet Earth image by Apollo 17 crew, 1972Planet Earth image by Apollo 17 crew, 1972Moon image by Apollo 8 crew, 1968Moon image by Apollo 8 crew, 1968Planet Mars image by Viking 1, 1976Planet Mars image by Viking 1, 1976Asteroid 433 Eros image by NEAR Shoemaker, 2000Asteroid 433 Eros image by NEAR Shoemaker, 2000Dwarf planet Ceres image by Dawn, 2015Dwarf planet Ceres image by Dawn, 2015Planet Jupiter image by Juno, 2019Planet Jupiter image by Juno, 2019Moon Io (Jupiter) image by Galileo, 1999Moon Io (Jupiter) image by Galileo, 1999Planet Saturn image by Cassini, 2016Planet Saturn image by Cassini, 2016Moon Mimas (Saturn) image by Cassini, 2010Moon Mimas (Saturn) image by Cassini, 2010Planet Uranus by Voyager 2, 1986Planet Uranus by Voyager 2, 1986Moon Miranda (Uranus) image by Voyager 2, 1986Moon Miranda (Uranus) image by Voyager 2, 1986Planet Neptune image by Voyager 2, 1989Planet Neptune image by Voyager 2, 1989Dwarf planet Pluto image by New Horizons, 2015Dwarf planet Pluto image by New Horizons, 2015Moon Charon (Pluto) image by New Horizons, 2015Moon Charon (Pluto) image by New Horizons, 2015NASA Great Observatory imagesHelix Nebula by Spitzer Space Telescope, 2007Helix Nebula by Spitzer Space Telescope, 20071901 GK Persei supernova by Chandra X-ray Observatory, 20151901 GK Persei supernova by Chandra X-ray Observatory, 2015Carina Nebula by Hubble Space Telescope, 2010Carina Nebula by Hubble Space Telescope, 2010Stephens quintet by James Webb Space Telescope, Jul 2022Stephens quintet by James Webb Space Telescope, Jul 2022NASA spacecraftComparison of Apollo, Gemini, and Mercury systems[note 3]Comparison of Apollo, Gemini, and Mercury systems[note 3]Surveyor 3, Pete Conrad, and Apollo 12 on the Moon, 1969Surveyor 3, Pete Conrad, and Apollo 12 on the Moon, 1969Space Shuttle Endeavor in orbit, 2008Space Shuttle Endeavor in orbit, 2008Hubble Space Telescope released in orbit after servicing, 2009.Hubble Space Telescope released in orbit after servicing, 2009.James Webb Space Telescope now in orbit, 2022.James Webb Space Telescope now in orbit, 2022.Opportunity rover on surface of Mars (rendering), 2003Opportunity rover on surface of Mars (rendering), 2003Curiosity rover self-portrait on Mars, 2021Curiosity rover self-portrait on Mars, 2021Perseverance rover during Mars skycrane landing, February 2021Perseverance rover during Mars skycrane landing, February 2021Voyager 2, now 19.5 billion kilometers from the Earth, July 2022Voyager 2, now 19.5 billion kilometers from the Earth, July 2022Orion spacecraft and European Service Module testing, 2020Orion spacecraft and European Service Module testing, 2020NASA space launch systemsSaturn V and Apollo 11 at launch, Jul 1969Saturn V and Apollo 11 at launch, Jul 1969Titan III/Centaur launching Voyager 2 spacecraft, Jul 1977Titan III/Centaur launching Voyager 2 spacecraft, Jul 1977Delta II launching Spirit rover, Jun 2003Delta II launching Spirit rover, Jun 2003Space Shuttle (STS-124) during launch, May 2008Space Shuttle (STS-124) during launch, May 2008Space Launch System and Artemis 1 at launch, Nov 2022Space Launch System and Artemis 1 at launch, Nov 2022Concepts and plansConcept of space tug cargo transport to a Nuclear Shuttle, 1960sConcept of space tug cargo transport to a Nuclear Shuttle, 1960sSpace Tug concept, 1970sSpace Tug concept, 1970sNASA Interstellar probe concept, 2022NASA Interstellar probe concept, 2022Langley's Mars Ice Dome design for a Mars habitat, 2010sLangley's Mars Ice Dome design for a Mars habitat, 2010sLunar Gateway space station, 2020Lunar Gateway space station, 2020NASA lunar outpost concept, 2006NASA lunar outpost concept, 2006NASA concept for crewed floating outpost on Venus, 2014NASA concept for crewed floating outpost on Venus, 2014NASA concept for 2069 Alpha Centauri solar sail missionNASA concept for 2069 Alpha Centauri solar sail missionSee alsoflag United States portalicon Politics portalSpaceflight portalRocketry portalList of crewed spacecraftList of NASA aircraftList of space disastersList of United States rocketsCategory: NASA peopleNASA Advanced Space Transportation ProgramNASA Art ProgramNASA Research Park – Research park near San Jose, CaliforniaTechPort (NASA) – Technology Portfolio SystemGovernment space agencies are established by governments of countries or regional groupings of countries to establish a means for advocating for and/or engaging in activities related to outer space, exploitation of space systems, and space exploration. The listings summarize all countries and regional authorities that have established space agencies. The listings established a comparative summary of demonstrated capabilities across the countries that have invested in the pursuit of space-based objectives.Government space agency organizations are established with objectives that include national prestige, exploitation of remote sensing information, communications, education, and economic development. These agencies tend to be civil in nature (vs military) and serve to advance the benefits of exploitation and/or exploration of space. Government agencies span the spectrum from ancient organizations with small budgets to mature national or regional enterprises such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States, the European Space Agency (ESA) which coordinates for more than 20 constituent countries, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities (Roscosmos) of Russia, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and the China National Space Agency (CNSA).The space agency listings are segregated to enable identification of subsets of the complete list that have advanced to higher levels or technical or programmatic proficiency in accordance with the following:Establishment of agency, initial exploitation of space-based systemsDevelopment of launch capabilityCapacity for extraterrestrial explorationDemonstration of human spaceflight capability across one or more of these domainsThe four listings identify a technological progression in complexity and capacity that historically aligned to the developments that occurred during the 20th century space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. It is not intended to offer that this is the only path to advanced space faring status; variations and adaptations are expected and are likely to occur based on the technological capabilities that are available to today as opposed to 50 or more years ago. For each identified "Demonstrated capability" a reference is included to that program's first demonstration of the technical capacity or capability to meet the defined objective.The fifth listing identifies countries that are considering or are developing space agency organizations but have not ratified formation or operation as of yet.Note as well that the demonstrated capabilities represent the national (or regional) capacity to achieve the identified objective. These listings do not attempt to determine which programs were uniquely or solely funded by the space agency itself. For each listing, the short name or acronym identified is the English version, with the native language version below. The date of the founding of the space agency is the date of first operations where applicable. If the space agency is no longer running, then the date when it was terminated. Additionally, the strategic nature of many space programs result in cooperation between civil agency and military organizations to meet unique staff and technical proficiencies required to support space programs given the geographic expanse required to ensure successful operation.List of space agenciesAs of 2024, 74 different government space agencies are in existence, including 68 national space agencies and six international agencies. Initial competencies demonstrated include funding and nomination of a candidate to serve as astronaut, cosmonaut, or taikonaut with the countries/organizations executing human spaceflight solutions. Other demonstrated capabilities include operation of a satellite (e.g. a communications or remote sensing system) largely developed and/or delivered by a third party, domestic development of a satellite system, and capacity to recover a science payload from a sub-orbital or orbital mission. Seven space agencies (six national, one international) have demonstrated all four of those capabilities.Overview of space agencies Country Space agency Demonstrated capabilityName Acronym Founded First Astronaut Operates satellites Builds satellites Recoverable payloads capableAfrican Union African Space Agency AfSA 24 January 2023 No No No NoAlgeria Algerian Space Agency ASAL 16 Jan 2002[1] No Yes(Alcomsat-1) Yes(AlSAT-1) NoArgentina Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales[2] CONAE 1961 (CNIE)28 May 1991 (CONAE) No Yes(Nahuel 1A) Yes(ARSAT-1) NoAustralia Australian Space Agency[3] ASA 1986 (NSP)1 Jul 2018 (ASA)[4][5] Yes(Paul Scully-Power) Yes(Aussat A1) Yes(WRESAT) NoAustria Austrian Space Agency[6][7] ALR 12 Jul 1972 Yes(Franz Viehböck) No No NoAzerbaijan Space Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azercosmos)[8] Azercosmos 2021 No Yes(Azerspace-1) No NoBangladesh Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization[9] SPARRSO 1980 No Yes(Bangabandhu-1) No NoBelgium Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy[10] BIRAIASBBISA Nov 25, 1964 Yes(Dirk Frimout) No No NoBrazil Brazilian Space Agency[11][12] AEB 10 Feb 1994 Yes(Marcos Pontes) Yes(Brasilsat A1) Yes(Amazônia-1) NoBulgaria Bulgarian Space Agency[13] SRI-BASSTIL-BAS 1987 Yes(Georgi Ivanov) Yes(Bulgaria 1300) No NoCanada Canadian Space Agency[14] CSAASC 1 Mar 1989 Yes(Marc Garneau) Yes(Alouette 1) Yes(Alouette 1) NoChile Chilean Space Agency CSA 2001 No Yes Yes NoChina China National Space Administration[15] CNSA 22 Apr 1993 Yes(Yang Liwei) Yes Yes(Dong Fang Hong 1) YesCosta Rica Costa Rican Space Agency (Agencia Espacial Costarricense)[16] AEC 2021 No Yes(Irazú) Yes(Irazú) NoInternationalConsultative Committee for Space Data Systems[17] CCSDS 1982 No No No NoInternationalCommittee on Space Research[18][19][20] COSPAR 1958 No No No NoCzech Republic Czech Space Office[21] CSO 2003[22] Yes(Vladimír Remek) No No NoDenmark Danish National Space Center[23] DNSCDTU Space 1 Jan 1968 (DSRI)1 Jan 2005 (DNSC) Yes(Andreas Mogensen) Yes(Ørsted) No NoEgypt Egyptian Space Agency[24][25] EGSANARSS[26]EASRT-RSC 201819941971–1994 No Yes(EgyptSat 1) No NoEl Salvador Instituto Aeroespacial de El Salvador(Esai)[27][28] ESAI 2021 No No No NoEthiopia Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute[29] ESSTI14 Oct 2016 NoYesETRSS-1 YesETRSS-1 NoEuropean Space Agency[30][31] ESAASEEWO 1964 (ESRO/ELDO)30 May 1975 (ESA) Yes(Ulf Merbold) Yes(Cos-B) Yes(Cos-B) YesEuropean Union European Union Agency for the Space Programme[32] EUSPA 12 Jul 2004 (GSA)21 May 2021 (EUSPA) No Yes No NoFrance National Centre for Space Studies[33] CNES 19 Dec 1961 Yes(Jean-Loup Chrétien) Yes(Astérix) Yes(Astérix) NoGermany German Aerospace Center[34] DLR 1969 Yes(Sigmund Jähn) Yes Yes(Azur) NoGhana Ghana Space Science and Technology Centre[35] GSSTI2 Apr 2012 NoNoNo NoGreece Hellenic Space CentreΕλληνικό Κέντρο Διαστήματος[36] HSCΕΛΚΕΔ 9 Aug 2019 No Yes(Hellas Sat 2) No NoHungary Hungarian Space Office MŰIHSO Jan 1992 Yes(Bertalan Farkas)Yes(MaSat-1) No NoIndia Indian Space Research Organisation[37][38][39] ISROइसरो 1962 (INCOSPAR)15th Aug 1969 (ISRO) Yes(Rakesh Sharma) Yes(Aryabhata) Yes(Aryabhata) YesIndonesia Indonesian Space Agency (Previously known as LAPAN)[40] INASA Nov 27, 1964 No Yes(Palapa-A1) Yes(Lapan-TUBsat) NoIran Iranian Space Agency ISA[41][42] 2004 Yes Yes(Sina-1) Yes[43](Omid) Yes(Pishgam)Israel Israeli Space Agency ISAסוכנות החלל הישראלית Apr 1983 Yes(Ilan Ramon) Yes(Ofeq-1) Yes(Shavit 2) NoItaly Italian Space Agency[44][45] ASI 1988 Yes(Franco Malerba) Yes(San Marco 1) Yes(San Marco 1) NoJapan Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency[46][47] JAXAジャクサ 1 Oct 2003 Yes(Toyohiro Akiyama) Yes(Ohsumi) Yes(Ohsumi) YesKazakhstan National Space Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan[48] KazCosmosKazKosmos 27 Mar 2007 Yes(Toktar Aubakirov) Yes(KazSat-1) No NoKenya Kenya Space Agency[49] KSA7 Mar 2017 NoYes(1KUNS-PF) No NoNorth Korea National Aerospace Development Administration[50][51] NADA 1980s (KCST)2013 (NADA)[52] No Yes(Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2) Yes(Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2) NoSouth Korea Korea Aerospace Research Institute[53] KARI 10 Oct 1989 Yes(Yi So-yeon) Yes(Koreasat 1) Yes(KITSAT-1) NoLithuania Lithuanian Space Association[54] LSA[55] 2007 No Yes(LituanicaSAT-1) No NoLuxembourg Luxembourg Space Agency[56] LSA Sep 2018 No No No NoMalaysia Malaysian Space Agency[57] MYSA 2002 Yes(Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor) Yes(MEASAT-1) No NoMexico Mexican Space Agency[58] AEM 30 Jul 2010 Yes(Rodolfo Vela) Yes(Morelos I) Yes(UNAMSAT B)[59] NoMongolia National Remote Sensing Center of Mongolia[60] NRSC 1991 No Yes(Mazaalai) Yes(Mazaalai) NoMorocco Royal Center for Remote Sensing[61]Centre Royal de Télédétection SpatialeAmmas Amrrukan n Tallunt(المركز الملكي للإستشعار البعدي الفضائي) CRTS Dec 1989 No No No NoNetherlands Netherlands Institute for Space Research[62] SRON 1983 Yes(Wubbo Ockels) Yes(ANS) Yes(ANS) NoNew Zealand New Zealand Space AgencyNZSA Apr 2016 No No No NoNigeria National Space Research and Development Agency[63] NASRDA 1998 No Yes(Nigeriasat-1) No NoNorway Norwegian Space Agency[64] NRSNSC 1987 No Yes(Thor 2) No NoPakistan Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission[65] SUPARCOسپارکو 16 Sep 1961 (started working from 1964) No Yes(Badr-1) Yes(Badr-1) NoParaguay Paraguayan Space Agency (Agencia Espacial de Paraguay)[66] AEP 26 Mar 2014 No Yes(GuaraníSat-1) No NoPeru National Commission for Aerospace Research and Development[67] CONIDA 11 Jun 1974 No Yes(Chasqui I) Yes NoPhilippines Philippine Space Agency[68][69][70][71][72] PhilSA 2014 (DOST–ASTI)8 August 2019 (PhilSA) No Yes(Agila-1) No NoPoland Polish Space Agency[73] POLSA 29 Sep 1976 (CBK PAN)26 Sep 2014 (POLSA) Yes(Mirosław Hermaszewski) Yes(Lem) No NoPortugal Portugal Space[74][75] PTSPACE 2019 No No Yes(PoSAT-1) NoRomania Romanian Space Agency[76] ASRROSA 1991 Yes(Dumitru Prunariu) Yes(Goliat) No NoRussia Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities RoscosmosРоскосмос 25 Feb 1992 Yes(Aleksandr Volkov) Yes(Kosmos 2175) Yes(Kosmos 2175) Yes(Soyuz TM-14)Rwanda Rwanda Space Agency[77] RSA 2021 No No No NoSaudi Arabia Saudi Space Agency[78] SSA 1977 (KACST-SRI)2018 (SSC/SSA) Yes(Sultan Bin Salman) Yes(Arabsat-1A) Yes(SaudiSat-4) NoSingapore Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing[79] CRISP 1995 No Yes(ST-1) No NoSouth Africa South African National Space Agency[80] SANSA 9 Dec 2010 No No No NoSoviet Union Soviet space program СССРКосмическая программа 1955disbanded 25 Dec 1991 Yes(Yuri Gagarin) Yes(Sputnik 1) Yes(Sputnik 1) Yes(Korabl-Sputnik 2)Spain Agencia Espacial Española[81][82][83] AEE 2023 Yes(Pedro Duque) Yes(Hispasat 1A) Yes(Intasat) NoSweden Swedish National Space Agency[84] SNSA 1972 Yes(Christer Fuglesang) Yes(Viking) Yes NoSwitzerland Swiss Space Office[85][86] SSO 1998 No No No NoSyria Syrian Space Agency[87][88][89][90] SSA 18 Mar 2014 No No No NoTaiwan Taiwan Space Agency[91] TASA 3 Oct 1991 No Yes(ST-1) Yes(Formosat-1) NoThailand Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency[92] GISTDAสทอภ 3 Nov 2000 No Yes(Thaicom 1) No NoTunisia French: Centre national de la cartographie et de la télédétection(Arabic: المركز الوطني للإستشعار عن بعد)(National Remote Sensing Center of Tunisia)[93] CNCT 1988 No No No NoTurkey Turkish Space Agency(Türkiye Uzay Ajansı)[94][95][96][97] TUA 1985 (TÜBİTAK UZAY)13 Dec 2018 (TUA) Yes(Alper Gezeravcı) Yes(Türksat 1A) Yes(Göktürk-2) NoTurkmenistan Turkmenistan National Space Agency[98] TNSA 2011 No Yes(TürkmenÄlem52E / MonacoSAT) No YesUkraine State Space Agency of Ukraine[99] SSAU 2 Mar 1992 Yes(Leonid Kadeniuk) Yes Yes(Sich-1) NoUnited Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Space Agency[100] UAESA 2014 Yes(Hazza Al Mansouri) Yes(Thuraya 2) No NoUnited Kingdom United Kingdom Space Agency[101] UKSA 1 Apr 2010 Yes(Helen Sharman) Yes(Ariel 1) Yes(Prospero) NoUnited Nations United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space[102] UNCOPUOS Dec 12, 1959 — — — —United Nations United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs[103] UNOOSA 13 Dec 1958 — — — —United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration[104] NASA 29 Jul 1958 Yes(Alan Shepard) Yes(Explorer 1) Yes(Explorer 1) Yes(Discoverer 13)Uzbekistan The Space Research and Technology Agency under the Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan[105] Uzbekspace agency 2019 No No No NoVenezuela Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities[106] ABAE 1 Jan 2008 No Yes(Venesat-1) No NoVietnam Vietnam National Space Center (Trung tâm Vũ trụ Việt Nam)[107] TTVTVN or VNSCVAST-VNSC 20 Nov 2006 Yes(Phạm Tuân) Yes(Vinasat-1) No NoList of space agencies with launch capabilityThis group of agencies have developed or are developing launch infrastructure including space launch sites, suborbital launch technology, orbital launch systems, and reusable hardware technologies.Overview of space agency launch capabilitiesCountry Space agency Demonstrated capabilityName Acronym Founded Operates launch site Suborbital launch capable Orbital launch capable Cryogenic rocket engine use Reusable systems useArgentina Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales[2] CONAE 1961 (CNIE)28 May 1991 (CONAE) Yes[108](Punta Indio) Yes[109](Orión) No No NoAustralia Australian Space Agency[3][4] ASA 1 Jul 2018 Yes(Woomera) Yes[110](Long Tom) No No NoBrazil Brazilian Space Agency[11][12] AEB 10 Feb 1994 Yes[111](Alcântara) Yes(VSB-30) No No NoCanada Canadian Space Agency CSA 1 Mar 1989 Yes Yes No No NoChina China National Space Administration[15] CNSA 22 Apr 1993 Yes(Jiuquan) Yes Yes(Long March 1) Yes(YF-73) YesEuropean Space Agency ESAASEEWO[30][31] 30 May 1975 Yes(Kourou) Yes Yes(Ariane 1) Yes NoFrance French: Centre National d’Études Spatiales[33] CNES 19 Dec 1961 Yes(Kourou) Yes(Véronique) Yes(Diamant A) Yes NoIndia Indian Space Research Organisation[37][38][39] ISROइसरो 15 Aug 1969 Yes(Sriharikota) Yes(RH-75) Yes(SLV) Yes(CE-20) (CE-7.5) NoIran Iranian Space Agency[112] ISA 2004 Yes(Semnan) Yes(Safir) Yes(Safir) No NoIsrael Israel Space Agency[113] ISA]סל"ה Apr 1983 Yes(Palmachim Airbase) Yes(Shavit 2) Yes(Shavit 2) No NoItaly Italian Space Agency[114] ASI 1988 Yes(Salto di Quirra) Yes No Yes NoJapan Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency[46] JAXAジャクサ 1 Oct 2003 Yes(Uchinoura) Yes Yes(Lambda-4S) Yes(LE-7) NoNorth Korea National Aerospace Development Administration KCST 1980s Yes(Sohae) Yes Yes[115](Unha-3) No NoSouth Korea Korea Aerospace Research Institute[116] KARI항우연 Oct 1989 Yes(Naro) Yes Yes(Nuri) No NoMexico Mexican Space Agency MSA 30 Jul 2010 No Yes No No NoNew Zealand New Zealand Space AgencyNZSA Apr 2016 Yes(Mahia) No No No NoPakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission[117] SUPARCO 1961 Yes(Sonmiani Flight Test Range) Yes(Rehbar-I) No No NoPoland Polish Space Agency POLSA 29 Sep 1976 Yes Yes No No NoRussia Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities RoscosmosРоскосмос 25 Feb 1992 Yes(Plesetsk) Yes Yes(Soyuz-U) Yes NoSoviet Union Soviet space program СССРКосмическая программа 1955disbanded 25 Dec 1991 Yes(Baikonur) Yes(GIRD-09) Yes(R-7 Sputnik) Yes(KVD-1) Yes(Buran)Sweden Swedish National Space Agency[118] SNSA 1972 Yes(Esrange) Yes(Maser) No No NoUkraine State Space Agency of Ukraine[119] ДКАУSSAU 2 Mar 1992 No Yes Yes(Dnepr) No NoUnited Kingdom UK Space Agency UKSA 1 Apr 2010 Yes Yes Yes No NoUnited States National Aeronautics and Space Administration[104] NASA 29 Jul 1958 Yes(Cape Canaveral) Yes(WAC Corporal) Yes(Juno I) Yes(RL10) Yes(Space Shuttle)List of space agencies with extraterrestrial exploration capabilityThis group of agencies have developed advanced technological capabilities required for travel and study of other heavenly bodies within the Solar System. These involve the capacity to leave the local area around the planet Earth for lunar and/or missions to other bodies in the Solar System. As of February 2023, six (6) countries/agencies have achieved objectives necessary to be listed here.Overview of space agencies extraterrestrial exploration capabilityCountry Space agency Demonstrated capabilityName Acronym Founded Controlled surface impact Operates extraterrestrial orbiter Uncrewed soft landing Uncrewed rover operation Sample returnChina China National Space Administration[120] CNSA 22 Apr 1993[15] Yes(Chang'e 1) Yes(Chang'e 1) Yes(Chang'e 3) Yes(Yutu-1) Yes(Chang'e 5)European Space Agency[121] ESAASEEWO 30 May 1975 Yes(Rosetta) Yes(Mars Express) Yes(Huygens) No NoIndia Indian Space Research Organisation[122] ISROइसरो 15 Aug 1969[37] Yes(Moon Impact Probe)[39] Yes(Chandrayaan-1) Yes(Chandrayaan-3) Yes(Pragyan) NoJapan Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency[123] JAXAジャクサ 1 Oct 2003 Yes(Hiten) Yes(Hiten) Yes(Hayabusa) Yes(MINERVA-II) Yes(Hayabusa)Soviet Union Soviet space program СССРКосмическая программа 1955disbanded 25 Dec 1991 Yes(Luna 2) Yes(Luna 10) Yes(Luna 9) Yes(Lunokhod 1) Yes(Luna 16)United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA 29 Jul 1958[104] Yes(Ranger 7) Yes(Lunar Orbiter 1) Yes(Surveyor 1) Yes(Sojourner) Yes(Apollo 11)List of space agencies with human spaceflight capabilitySee also: List of human spaceflight programs and List of space stations by countryThis small group of countries/space agencies have demonstrated the highest technological capacity with systems and solutions that support human spaceflight along with the ancillary technological capabilities to support human activity in orbit and/or on extraterrestrial bodies. The missions identified (and personnel when appropriate) are the first successful accomplishments of each activity.Overview of space agencies human spaceflight capabilityCountry Space agency Demonstrated capabilityName Acronym Founded Crewed space launch EVA Rendezvous and docking Space station Crewed circumlunar flight Crewed Moon landingChina China National Space Administration[124][15] CNSA 22 Apr 1993 Yes(Shenzhou 5) Yes(Shenzhou 7,Zhai Zhigang) Yes(Shenzhou 8 to Tiangong-1) Yes(Tiangong) No NoRussia Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities RoscosmosРоскосмос 25 Feb 1992 Yes(Soyuz TM-14) Yes(Mir, Aleksandr Volkov and Sergei Krikalev) Yes(Soyuz TM-14 to ISS) Yes(Mir) No NoSoviet Union Soviet space program СССРКосмическая программа 1955disbanded 25 Dec 1991 Yes(Vostok 1) Yes(Voskhod 2,Alexei Leonov) Yes(Soyuz 4 toSoyuz 5) Yes(Salyut 1) No NoUnited States National Aeronautics and Space Administration[104] NASA 29 Jul 1958 Yes(Mercury-Redstone 3) Yes(Gemini 4,Ed White) Yes(Gemini 8 to GATV) Yes(Skylab) Yes(Apollo 8) Yes(Apollo 11)Emerging, proposed and future space agenciesOverview of possible future space agenciesCountry/Countries Space agency Expected date of formation Current statusName AcronymAfrican Union African Space Agency AfSA 2023 Proposed in 2015. AU plans to launch the agency by 2019 with a proposed headquarter in Cairo, Egypt. Funded by Egypt. See the stamp issued by Egypt on 19 September 2019.[125][126][127][128][129]Albania Albanian Space Office ASO — Proposed in 2020, at progress stage.[130]Armenia Armenian Space Agency ArmCosmos — Proposed in 2013 with the goal to launch satellites. Negotiating with the International Telecommunication Union to clear the path for its prospective launch.[131]Bhutan Bhutan Space Office BSO — Proposed in 2016, at progress stage.[132]Botswana Botswana Aeronautics and Space Agency BotswanaSpace — Proposed in 2020, at progress stage.[133]Cambodia Cambodian Aeronautics and Space Office CASO — Proposed in 2016, at progress stage.[134]Croatia Croatian Space Agency CROSA — Proposed in 2020, currently operate as NGO Adriatic Aerospace Association (A3), at progress stage.[135][136]Djibouti Djibouti National Space Office — — Announced in 2022, at bill stage.[137]Guatemala Guatemala Space Agency — — Proposed in 2019, at progress stage.[138][139]Honduras Honduras Space Agency AEH — Proposed in 2018, at progress stage.[140]Iraq Iraqi National Space Agency IraqSpace — Proposed in 2019, at progress stage.[141]Laos Lao Aeronautics and Space Agency LaoSpace — Proposed in 2015, at progress stage.[142]CELAC Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency ALCE 16 Mar 2022[143] Announced in 2021, bill stage.[144][145]Latvia Latvia Space Office LSO — Proposed in 2020, at progress stage.[146]Malta Malta Space Office MSO — Proposed in 2017, at progress stage.[147]Moldova Moldova National Space Office — — Proposed in 2018, at progress stage.[148]Monaco Monaco Space Agency — — Proposed in 2020, at progress stage.[149]Montenegro Montenegrin National Bureau of Space — — Announced in 2022, bill stage.[150]Myanmar Myanmar Aeronautics and Space Agency MyanmarSpace — Proposed in 2019, at progress stage.[151][152]Nepal Nepal Aeronautics and Space Office NepalSpace — Proposed in 2018, at progress stage.[153]Nicaragua Nicaraguan Space Agency AEN — Announced in 2021, bill stage.[154][155]Oman Oman Space Agency OSA — Proposed in 2020, at progress stage.[156][157]Panama Panama Space Agency AEP — Proposed in 2014, at progress stage.[158]Serbia Serbian Space Office SerbSpace — Proposed in 2016, at progress stage.[159]Slovenia Slovenian National Bureau of Space — — Proposed in 2019, at progress stage.[160][161]Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Aeronautics and Space Agency SLASA — Proposed in 2009. Immediate goal was to construct and launch two satellites. Sri Lankan Telecommunications Regulatory Commission had signed an agreement with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd to get the relevant help and resources.[162]Sudan Sudan Space Agency — — Proposed in 2017, at progress stage.[163]Tanzania Tanzanian National Space Agency TNSA — Proposed in 2021, at progress stage.[164]Uruguay Uruguayan Space Agency AEU 2022 Announced in 2021, bill stage.[165]BudgetsThe annual budgets listed are the official budgets of national space agencies available in public domain. The budgets are not normalized to the expenses of space research in different countries, i.e. higher budget does not necessarily mean more activity or better performance in space exploration.[166][167] Budget could be used for different projects: e.g. GPS is maintained from the US defence budget,[168] whereas ESA's money is used for developing the European Galileo positioning system.[169] For European contributors to ESA, the national budgets shown include also their contributions to ESA.Five government space agencies, the United States (NASA), China (CNSA), France (CNES), Japan (JAXA) and Russia (Roscosmos), have annual budgets of more than two billion US dollars.Budgets of different space agencies.Agency (country/region) Budget (in millions of US $)NASA (United States) 23,500CNSA (China) 11,700ESA (Europe) 7,430CNES (France) 3,521JAXA (Japan) 2,388Roscosmos (Russia) 2,011ISRO (India) 1,831ASI (Italy) 1,750DLR (Germany) 1,424AEE (Spain) 739KARI (South Korea) 701UKSA (United Kingdom) 604CSA (Canada) 460ASA (Algeria) 394ISAB (Belgium) 260SSO (Switzerland) 177NSO (Netherlands) 150SNSA (Sweden) 120SSAU (Ukraine) 107NOSA (Norway) 103TUA (Turkey) 87ALR (Austria) 75AEB (Brazil) 68CONAE (Argentina) 63LAPAN (Indonesia) 54PhilSA (Philippines) 38ISA (Israel) 17ISA, ISRC and ARI (Iran) 9Budgets of space agenciesCountry/region Agency Budget(in millions of US $) Year ReferenceUnited States National Aeronautics and Space Administration 23,500 2022 [170][171]China China National Space Administration 11,700 2021 [172]European Space Agency 7,430 2020 [173]France National Centre for Space Studies 3,521 2022 [174]Japan Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency 2,388 2022 [175]Russia Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities 2,011 2022 [176]India Indian Space Research Organisation 1,831 2022 [177][178]Italy Italian Space Agency 1,750 2020 [179]Germany German Aerospace Center 1,424 2021 [180]Spain Agencia Espacial Española 739 2023 [181]South Korea Korea Aerospace Research Institute 701 2021 [182]United Kingdom UK Space Agency 604 2021 [183]Canada Canadian Space Agency 460 2019 [184]Algeria Algerian Space Agency 394 2020 [185]Belgium Interfederal Space Agency of Belgium 260 2020 [186]Switzerland Swiss Space Office 177 2019 [173]Netherlands Netherlands Space Office 150 2022 [187]Sweden Swedish National Space Agency 120 2022 [188]Ukraine State Space Agency of Ukraine 107 2022 [189]Norway Norwegian Space Agency 103 2019 [190]Turkey Turkish Space Agency 87 2023 [191]Austria Austrian Space Agency 75 2020 [192]Brazil Brazilian Space Agency 68 2022 [193]Poland Polish Space Agency 64 2020 [194]Argentina Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales 63 2022 [195]Indonesia National Institute of Aeronautics and Space 54 2022 [196][197]Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission 50 2019 [198][199]Philippines Philippine Space Agency 38 2019 [200]Nigeria National Space Research and Development Agency 36 2020 [201]Australia Australian Space Agency 35 2020 [202][203]Israel Israel Space Agency 17 2020 [204]South Africa South African National Space Agency 15 2020 [205]Iran Iranian Space Agency, Iranian Space Research Center and Aerospace Research Institute 9 2020 [206]Mexico Mexican Space Agency 4 2022 [207]Chile Chilean Space Agency 1 2014 World All space agencies (Total of listed budgets) About 62,000 See alsoOuter space portalSpaceflight portalCommittee on Earth Observation SatellitesLists of astronomical objectsLists of telescopesSEDSLists of spacecraftLists of astronautsLists of space scientists
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