NASA's Future
"As a former astronaut and the current NASA Administrator, I'm here to tell you that American leadership in space will continue for at least the next half-century because we have laid the foundation for success - and failure is not an option."
-- Charles Bolden, NASA Administrator, July 1, 2011
Many people viewed the space shuttle program and the ISS as white elephants, but many of those same people admit they were sad to see the futuristic and extraordinary winged spaceship, that looks like it flew off the cover of a comic book, finally be retired. The Shuttle was killed by a mixture of rising costs, dwindling budgets, growing public apathy and little political support. So what's next for NASA?
History of NASA
NASA was formed in 1958 and is in charge of U.S. science and technology relating to airplanes or space.
Exploration
NASA is working on designs for new spacecraft capable of sending humans to space, Mars and beyond.
ISS Space Station
The International Space Station is the center piece to the getting humans in to low orbit activicties.
Aeronautics
NASA is performing research to design and make aircrafts that are safer, more fuel efficient, quieter and also eco-responsible.
Science
Nasa is performing alot of missions that will seek knowledge and more understanding of Earth, the solar system and the universe.
Lunar Base
NASA is considering building a permanent lunar outpost or "moon base" that could be permanently inhabited by astronauts.
The earth rotates more slowly on its axis in March than in September.