The complete form of NASA is National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It is a United States government agency. It is responsible for the country’s civilian space program and for advancing aerospace technology.
It was founded on July 29, 1958, and has since been responsible for numerous accomplishments in space exploration and aviation. NASA Headquarters is in Washington, D.C and There are 10 NASA centres across the United States.
History of NASA
- NASA (formerly NACA) was established on March 3, 1915, as a United States federal agency. Which was known as NACA ( National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics ) from 1915 to 1958.
- Later on July 19, 1948, the agency was renamed NASA ( National Aeronautics and Space Administration ) by the US Federal Government under the leadership of the then US President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
- The Soviet Union launches the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, into orbit in 1957. This event sparks the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union.
- The satellite Explorer 1 was launched by NASA on January 31, 1958. The launch of Explorer 1 became the first satellite successfully launched by NASA.
- A quick response to the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik 1, the success of Explorer 1 marked the beginning of the U.S. Space Age.
Mission and Objectives of NASA
The main mission and objectives of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) are to develop and use space technology for the socioeconomic development of the world. This includes the use of space technology in areas such as communication, navigation, meteorology, remote sensing, and natural resources management.
objectives of NASA
- To enhance human knowledge about space.
- To know about the happenings in space so that the world can be saved.
- Leading the world in space technology innovation.
- To Develop such vehicles that can carry both instruments and living organisms in space, So that the environment can be detected there.
- To coordinate with international space agencies to achieve scientific advancement.
Major Projects and Accomplishments
1) APOLLO MISSION:- This mission was launched in 1968 and it made the first landing on the moon in 1968. As a result of this mission, American astronauts made 11 journeys and made discoveries on the moon.
2) Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE):- This mission was launched in 1997. It observes particles of solar, interplanetary, interstellar, and galactic origin, spanning the energy range from solar wind ions to galactic cosmic ray nuclei.
3) The Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere Satellite (AIM):- This satellite was launched in 2007. it will take detailed pictures of noctilucent clouds, measure their temperature, and chemical abundance, monitor their gray aerosols and count meteors falling to Earth.
4) AQUA (2002):-It was launched in 2002. It was the first satellite who collect information about aquatic organisms. It carries 6 different earth-observing instruments and provides about 89 gigabytes of data per day.
5) Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission:–it was launched in 2021. It is considered to be the most successful mission out of all the missions launched by NASA.
DART is a planetary defense-driven test of technology to prevent a dangerous asteroid from hitting Earth. This mission helps the Earth to avoid meteorites coming from space.
List of Launch Vehicles which is used by NASA
- Falcon 9
- Delta II
- Delta IV
- Titan IV
- Atlas V
- Saturn V
NASA’S impact on the advancement of technology in the world :
- NASA’s Earth science research has contributed to a better understanding of our planet’s climate, weather patterns, and natural resources. This research has led to the development of new techniques to monitor and mitigate environmental problems such as air and water pollution, deforestation, and climate change.
- NASA has developed numerous technologies for space exploration, including spacecraft, rockets, and satellites. Many of these technologies have also had applications in the commercial aerospace industry, leading to advancements in aviation, communications, and remote sensing.
Some Interesting Facts Related to Nasa
- Internet speed of NASA’s centers is up to 91 Gbps
- One of the major goals of NASA is to get humans to Mars by 2030.
- NASA spends $19 billion on its missions every year.
- NASA launches rockets from the east, taking advantage of the Earth’s rotation.
- NASA has a program called “Eyes on the Solar System” that allows anyone with an internet connection to explore our solar system in 3D, using real-time data from NASA’s spacecraft.