About NASA Centers

Ames Research Center (ARC), located in California’s Silicon Valley, enables exploration through selected developments, innovative technologies, and interdisciplinary scientific discovery. ARC provides leadership in Astrobiology; microsatellites; technologies for CEV, CLV, and HLV; the search for habitable planets; supercomputing; intelligent/adaptive systems; advanced thermal protection; and airborne astronomy. ARC develops tools for a safer, more efficient national airspace and unique partnerships benefiting NASA’s mission.

Advancing technology and science through flight. The Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC), located at Edwards Air Force Base, California, performs flight research and technology integration to revolutionize aviation and pioneer aerospace technology, validates space exploration concepts, conducts airborne remote sensing and science missions, and supports operations of the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station for NASA and the Nation.

The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) at Lewis Field develops critical space flight systems and technologies to advance the exploration of our solar system and beyond while maintaining leadership in aeronautics. In partnership with U.S. industries, universities, and other Government institutions, research and development efforts focus on advancements in propulsion, power, communications, nuclear, and human-related aerospace systems.

The Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), located in Greenbelt, Maryland, expands the knowledge of Earth and its environment, the solar system, and the universe through observations from space. The Center also conducts scientific investigations, develops and operates space systems, and advances essential technologies.

NASA Headquarters, in Washington, DC, provides overall guidance and direction to the Agency, under the leadership of the Administrator. Ten Centers and a variety of installations around the country conduct the day-to-day work in laboratories, on air fields, in wind tunnels, and in control rooms. Together, this skilled, diverse group of scientists, engineers, managers, and support personnel share the vision, mission, and values that are NASA.

Advancing technology and science through flight. The Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC), located at Edwards Air Force Base, California, performs flight research and technology integration to revolutionize aviation and pioneer aerospace technology, validates space exploration concepts, conducts airborne remote sensing and science missions, and supports operations of the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station for NASA and the Nation.

The Johnson Space Center (JSC) provides leadership for human space exploration and operations. The Center strives to advance human capability for exploration and utilization of space by conducting space operations, as well as designing, testing, and developing space flight hardware and systems. The Center has responsibility for the operation of the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. Additionally, the Center hosts the Constellation Program which will enable the Vision for Space Exploration, as well as the Commercial Crew/Cargo Project which will foster increased commercial space enterprise opportunities.

The Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is responsible for the Agency’s space launch processing and services, and planning/implementation of ground operations for the Vision for Space Exploration. KSC manages the processing, launch, and recovery of the Space Shuttle; International Space Station elements, and associated payloads; and provides acquisition and technical management of commercially available launch services.

The Langley Research Center (LaRC) pioneers the future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics through research and development of technology, scientific instruments and investigations, and exploration systems.

Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) serves as a systems developer and integrator for exploration and science missions. It advances Agency priorities with its full life-cycle engineering capabilities, developing and integrating human and scientific space flight systems from concept to development to operation. The Center’s work in advanced materials and manufacturing processes and scientific research in specialized areas rounds out its portfolio.

The NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC), located at Stennis Space Center, serves as a major Agencywide service resource that provides timely, accurate, high-quality, cost effective, and customer-focused services for NASA. The NSSC serves the information technology (IT), financial management, procurement, and human resources communities as a value added, independent resource. Increased operational efficiency and improved overall customer service will be achieved through consolidated business and technical services. By achieving synergy within and across functions the NSSC will reduce resource requirements for institutional support areas and position NASA for further business process improvements and innovations.

Stennis Space Center (SSC), located in Stennis, MS, implements NASA’s mission in areas assigned by two Agency Mission Directorates. SSC manages rocket propulsion testing for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) and is serving as the Systems Engineering Center, managing assigned applied sciences program activities for the Science Mission Directorate (SMD). Stennis also serves as Federal manager and host agency of a major Government multiagency center.