19 Weeks on the Sun (12 Aug 2022 - 21 Dec 2022)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the United States government agency responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research. It was established on July 29, 1958, by the National Aeronautics and Space Act. NASA's mission is to explore space, conduct scientific research, and develop technologies related to space travel and exploration.

Over the years, NASA has been involved in a wide range of significant space missions and projects, including:

Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo Programs: These programs aimed to send humans to space, culminating in the Apollo 11 mission that successfully landed astronauts on the Moon in 1969.

Space Shuttle Program: The Space Shuttle was a reusable spacecraft system that operated from 1981 to 2011, allowing for various scientific experiments, satellite launches, and construction of the International Space Station (ISS).

International Space Station (ISS): NASA, along with international partners, played a key role in developing and maintaining the ISS, a habitable space station that orbits Earth and serves as a laboratory for scientific research in microgravity.

Mars Exploration: NASA has sent several robotic missions to Mars, including rovers like Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance, to study the planet's surface, geology, and potential habitability.

Voyager Missions: The Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft were launched in the 1970s to study the outer planets and have now exited the solar system, continuing to provide valuable data about interstellar space.

Hubble Space Telescope: Launched in 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope has provided stunning images and valuable data about distant galaxies, stars, and other celestial objects.

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): Set to launch in December 2021, the JWST is a next-generation space telescope that will observe the universe in infrared wavelengths, providing insights into the early universe, distant galaxies, and more.