Introduction
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is a pioneering agency that has played a pivotal role in pushing the boundaries of space exploration and scientific discovery. Established in 1958, NASA’s mission is to “explore the unknown in air and space, innovate for the benefit of humanity, and inspire the world through discovery.” With a budget of $25.6 billion in fiscal year 2023, approximately 17,000 civil service employees, and about 35,000 contractors, NASA has a wide range of programs spanning science, human spaceflight, space technology development, aeronautics research, and STEM education.
Organizational Structure
NASA is led by an Administrator, who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The current Administrator is former Senator Bill Nelson. The agency’s management is organized into five mission directorates: Exploration Systems Development, Space Operations, Science, Space Technology, and Aeronautics Research. Additionally, the Office of STEM Engagement manages NASA’s education programs.
NASA operates nine centers across the United States, including the Ames Research Center, Armstrong Flight Research Center, Glenn Research Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, Johnson Space Center, Kennedy Space Center, Langley Research Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, and Stennis Space Center. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), operated by the California Institute of Technology under a NASA contract, is considered a tenth center.
Budget and Appropriations
NASA’s budget has experienced a gradual increasing trend over the past decade, with the agency receiving $25.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. This funding is allocated through various appropriations accounts, including Science, Exploration, Space Operations, Space Technology, Aeronautics, STEM Engagement, and Inspector General.
Major Programs
Science
NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) manages the agency’s Earth and space science activities, organized into five programs: Earth Science, Planetary Science, Astrophysics, Heliophysics, and Biological and Physical Sciences. These programs operate a fleet of satellites and other spacecraft to conduct research on Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, and land, as well as the Solar System, galaxies, and the universe.
Human Spaceflight
NASA’s human spaceflight programs are managed by the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) and the Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD). The International Space Station (ISS) serves as a test bed for future human exploration missions, while the Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo program. The core capabilities for Artemis are the Orion crew capsule and the Space Launch System (SLS) heavy-lift rocket.
Space Technology
The Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) focuses on developing crosscutting technologies that can enable future space missions. Its strategic framework organizes investments and desired outcomes into categories such as advanced propulsion, in-situ resource utilization, and advanced avionics.
Aeronautics
NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) conducts research and development on technologies for aviation, including aviation safety, environmental impact, air traffic management, and experimental demonstrator aircraft.
STEM Education
NASA’s STEM education activities are managed by the Office of STEM Engagement and include programs such as the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP), and the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).
Selected Other Topics
Statutory Authorities
Most laws focused on NASA are codified in U.S. Code Title 51, with the foundation being the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958. Congress has enacted numerous amendments and additions over the years, including periodic broader-ranging NASA authorization acts and focused legislation.
Agency and Administration Policies
NASA has formal policies on various topics, ranging from its organization and management to procurement and program formulation. These policies are compiled and searchable at the NASA Online Directives Information System (NODIS). Additionally, NASA is subject to Administration-level policies, such as the National Space Policy, presidential Space Policy Directives, and executive orders.
Space Act Agreements
The National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 authorized NASA to enter into “other transactions” agreements, known as space act agreements (SAAs). These agreements provide NASA with flexibility to negotiate terms with companies, often when a company is paying for a portion of the agreed work.
NASA Funding by State and District
The NASA Procurement Data View (NPDV) website allows users to search for NASA contracts and other awards by contractor name or geographically by state and district.
Regulatory Role
While NASA is generally not a regulatory agency, it does issue regulations governing its own operations and interactions with other entities. The NASA Administrator also serves on the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council, which assists in the direction and coordination of procurement policy across the federal government.
Artemis Accords
The Artemis Accords are agreements between NASA and its counterpart agencies in other countries, establishing principles for cooperation in the civil exploration and use of the Moon, Mars, comets, and asteroids. NASA considers participation in the Accords a prerequisite for collaboration on the Artemis lunar exploration initiative.
Wolf Amendment
The Wolf Amendment, first enacted in 2011, prohibits most bilateral NASA cooperation with China, unless NASA certifies to Congress that an activity poses no risk of technology or information transfer with national security or economic security implications and will not involve interactions with officials directly involved in human rights violations.
Major Sources of Assessment/Advice
NASA relies heavily on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for decadal surveys and other advisory studies. The agency also receives external advice from the NASA Advisory Council (NAC), the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP), the NASA Office of Inspector General, and the Government Accountability Office.
Conclusion
ANASA’s multifaceted role encompasses a wide range of activities, from exploring the unknown in space and advancing scientific knowledge to developing cutting-edge technologies and inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals. Through its diverse programs and initiatives, the agency continues to push the boundaries of human understanding and capabilities, while also contributing to the global leadership of the United States in space exploration and scientific discovery.
Reference: NASA: A Primer, Congressional Research Service, January 2024