NASA Science

NASA Science seeks to discover the secrets of the universe, search for life elsewhere, and protect and improve life on Earth and in space.

cargo resupply mission

SpaceX CRS-29 Launch

message in a bottle

Send Your Name to Europa

celebrate solar science

Heliophysics Big Year
The image is divided horizontally by an undulating line between a cloudscape forming a nebula along the bottom portion and a comparatively clear upper portion. Speckled across both portions is a starfield, showing innumerable stars of many sizes. The smallest of these are small, distant, and faint points of light. The largest of these appear larger, closer, brighter, and more fully resolved with 8-point diffraction spikes. The upper portion of the image is blueish, and has wispy translucent cloud-like streaks rising from the nebula below. The orangish cloudy formation in the bottom half varies in density and ranges from translucent to opaque. The stars vary in color, the majority of which have a blue or orange hue. The cloud-like structure of the nebula contains ridges, peaks, and valleys – an appearance very similar to a mountain range. Three long diffraction spikes from the top right edge of the image suggest the presence of a large star just out of view.

Welcome to our redesigned NASA Science website

A gateway to our missions, research, and engagement efforts.

The Science Mission Directorate inspires the learners of today and develops the leaders of tomorrow. One of our key strategies is to purposefully and actively engage with audiences and learners of all ages to share the story of NASA’s integrated science program. From exoplanet research to better understanding Earth’s climate to understanding the influence of the sun on our planet and the solar system, our work is interdisciplinary and collaborative. Similarly, this new website showcases our work in a crosscutting way so that we may build stronger connections with you, our most important stakeholder. Together, we lead a globally interconnected program of scientific discovery that encourages innovation, positively impacts people’s lives, and is a source of inspiration.

Read Nicky Notes
Dr. Nicola Fox speaking at a recent event in Washington, D.C.
Science Mission Directorate Associate Administrator, Dr. Nicola Fox, speaking at a recent event in Washington, D.C. about the success of the Parker Solar Probe mission.
NASA/Aubrey Gemignani

Featured Missions

Upcoming mission milestones showcase the breadth and depth of NASA science.

A montage of the Webb Space Telescope over a composited background of stars and galaxies.

James Webb Space Telescope

Webb is celebrating one year of incredible discoveries, from exoplanets to the early Universe.

OSIRIS-REx

OSIRIS-REx is the first U.S. mission to collect a sample from an asteroid. It returned to Earth on Sept. 24, 2023, kicking off an exciting autumn of asteroid milestones!

PACE

PACE will advance the assessment of ocean health by measuring the distribution of phytoplankton, tiny plants and algae that sustain the marine food web.

Featured Story

NASA Orbiter Snaps Stunning Views of Mars Horizon

The Odyssey orbiter captured clouds and dust in the Red Planet’s skies, along with one of its two tiny moons.…

Read the Story

The Sun and Heliophysics

NASA studies the star at the center of our solar system and its influence on space, Earth, and our solar system. This research helps us to not only understand how the universe works, but also protect our technology and astronauts in space.

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What's out there?

Exploring the Sun's structure, behavior, and the effects of its radiant energy on the solar system and Earth.

Learning how protective magnetic fields surrounding planets shield them from solar wind and cosmic radiation.

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Studying the regions where Earth's atmosphere transitions into the ionized plasma of space.

Understanding how the invisible bubble surrounding our solar system is protecting life here on Earth.

Researching how environmental conditions in space can impact satellites, communications, and power grids on Earth.

Celebrating solar science and the Sun's influence on Earth and the solar system.