NASA

IPA/nˈasɐ/
KK[nˈæsə]IPA/nˈæsə/

NASA — noun

1. the full name and common abbreviation for the US government agency that runs spa

1.nounA2
Definition

the full name and common abbreviation for the US government agency that runs space exploration, manages scientific research beyond Earth's atmosphere, and develops aircraft and spacecraft technology.

Example

NASA's Perseverance rover landed on Mars in 2021 to search for signs of ancient life.

possessive: NASA's + [spacecraft name]

Christopher has always dreamed of working at NASA as a rocket scientist.

preposition: at NASA (workplace)

Common collocations
  • NASA scientist
  • NASA mission
  • NASA astronaut
  • NASA engineer
  • NASA spacecraft
  • NASA project
  • NASA research
  • NASA launch
Synonyms
  • the space agency

    generic substitute used when the context already makes the reference clear; less precise

  • the US space program

    broader in scope — includes all American space efforts, not just NASA

Usage Note

Treated as singular in American English ("NASA is planning..."). When used as a modifier before a noun, no article is needed ("NASA engineers"); when referring to the agency directly, omit "the" ("works for NASA"). Pronounced as one word /ˈnæsə/, not as separate letters.

Common Mistakes

NASA are developing a new rocket.
NASA is developing a new rocket.
American proper nouns take singular verb agreement.
She got a job at the NASA.
She got a job at NASA.
No article before the abbreviation itself, though 'the NASA program' with article + modifier is correct.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These terms overlap but differ in scope. "NASA" names the specific US government organization; it is the only one that can be used as a proper noun without an article ("NASA announced..."). "The space agency" is a generic reference that depends on context — a reader already in a NASA-focused paragraph will understand it, but outside that context it could refer to any country's space organization. "The US space program" is broader and includes private companies (SpaceX, Blue Origin) and military space operations alongside NASA. "ESA" (European Space Agency) is an entirely different organization; learners should not use them interchangeably. Example: "NASA and ESA are working together on the Mars sample-return mission."

the space agencythe US space programESA

Common collocations

Nouns

  • NASA official
  • NASA headquarters
  • NASA budget
  • NASA administrator

Phrases

  • NASA's latest mission
  • a NASA astronaut
  • the NASA space center

Prepositions

  • at NASA
  • for NASA
  • with NASA

Etymology

English (acronym)English

NASA is an acronym created in 1958 when the US Congress passed the National Aeronautics and Space Act. The agency replaced the earlier NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, founded 1915). The name combines 'National' (federal), 'Aeronautics' (flight within the atmosphere), and 'Space Administration' (management of space activity). NASA began operations on October 1, 1958, absorbing NACA's 8,000 employees and its three laboratories.