NASA
NASA is a U.S. federal agency conducting civil space exploration, aeronautics research, and scientific discovery. It operates research centers across the United States, develops space telescopes and human spaceflight systems, and serves global audiences through free scientific data, educational resources, and citizen science programs.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1958
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What NASA does
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is a U.S. federal independent agency established October 1, 1958 under the National Aeronautics and Space Act. It is the locus of U.S. civil space exploration, aeronautics research, and scientific discovery, operating 10+ major research centers, launch facilities, and testing complexes across the United States — including Johnson Space Center (Houston, human spaceflight), Kennedy Space Center (Cape Canaveral, launch operations), Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Pasadena, robotic planetary missions), Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, propulsion), Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, Earth science and observatories), and others. Core capabilities span propulsion systems, life support, communications, navigation, and materials science for extreme environments.
The agency's product portfolio includes flagship space telescopes (James Webb, Hubble, Chandra, TESS, Swift), the Artemis human spaceflight program, the International Space Station as an orbital research laboratory, planetary exploration assets (Perseverance Mars Rover, OSIRIS-REx), Earth observation satellites (PACE), and supporting technologies such as Navigation Doppler Lidar, Terrain Relative Navigation, and Roll-Out Solar Arrays (ROSA). The Space Technology Mission Directorate operates innovation programs including NIAC, Flight Opportunities, SBIR/STTR small business programs, and the Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative. Public-facing distribution is handled through NASA+ streaming, mobile applications, the TechPort technology database, and social channels reaching global audiences.
NASA is funded entirely through U.S. Congressional appropriations — it does not generate commercial revenue and provides scientific data, imagery, and educational resources to the global public at no charge. Its customer base spans general public engagement, K-12 through graduate students (2,000+ interns annually via OSTEM/Pathways), academic and research institutions, the commercial space industry through contracting and SBIR/STTR, international agencies (ESA, JAXA, CSA, Roscosmos), and other U.S. government partners (NOAA, DOD). Citizen science programs have produced 450+ co-authors on refereed publications, and Centennial Challenges prize competitions drive external technology development.
NASA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NASA
- Legal name
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Website
- https://nasa.gov
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1958
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- NASA is a U.S. federal agency conducting civil space exploration, aeronautics research, and scientific discovery. It operates research centers across the United States, develops space telescopes and human spaceflight systems, and serves global audiences through free scientific data, educational resources, and citizen science programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NASA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Civilian Space Exploration
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Space Research and Technology (92711), Space Research and Technology (927), Space Research and Technology (927110), Space Research and Technology (9271)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI), Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters (IMABACAE), Spacecraft Integration, Assembly & Test (IAT) (IMABACAK), Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control (IMABACAF), Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM), International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK)
Keywords
Where NASA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices14 records
Markets served
NASA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels11 records
NASA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NASA is the U.S. federal civilian space agency that conducts space exploration, aeronautics research, and scientific discovery through human spaceflight programs (Artemis, International Space Station), robotic missions (Perseverance Mars rover, OSIRIS-REx), space telescopes (James Webb, Hubble, Chandra, TESS), and Earth observation satellites (PACE). The agency provides free public access to scientific data, mission imagery, educational resources, and streaming content via NASA+, and supports innovation through SBIR/STTR programs, Centennial Challenges, and STEM engagement programs serving over 2,000 students annually.
Product overview
NASA operates as a government space agency offering a diverse portfolio of space exploration products and services including space telescopes (James Webb Space Telescope, Hubble Space Telescope, Chandra X-ray Observatory, TESS), human spaceflight programs (Artemis, International Space Station), planetary exploration (Perseverance Mars Rover, OSIRIS-REx), and Earth observation (PACE satellite). The agency provides streaming content through NASA+, mobile applications, and maintains technology platforms like TechPort. NASA supports the innovation ecosystem through SBIR/STTR small business programs, Centennial Challenges prize competitions (LunaRecycle, Mars to Table), and educational programs including OSTEM and Pathways internships serving over 2,000 students annually. Technology development is coordinated through STMD programs including Flight Opportunities, NIAC research, and various technology demonstration initiatives advancing lunar surface technologies, space weather prediction, and navigation systems like Navigation Doppler Lidar and Terrain Relative Navigation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- NASA+: NASA's streaming service featuring video content about space missions, documentaries, and science programming.
- NASA STEM Engagement
- Centennial Challenges
Products and services
- NASA+ NASA's free streaming service providing original video content including mission coverage, documentaries, and educational programming available via web, mobile apps, and connected TV platforms globally.
- NASA Apps
- TechPort
Quantifiable outcome
- More than 1,200 LunaRecycle Challenge registrations in Phase 1 - most in 20-year Centennial Challenges history
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use NASA
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
NASA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability9 records
Feature10 records
NASA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The University of Alabama College of EngineeringcoreNASA partners with The University of Alabama College of Engineering to manage the LunaRecycle Challenge, which develops recycling solutions for long-duration space missions. The partnership provides university research engagement and student involvement in NASA technology development.
- AI SpaceFactorycoreFormer Centennial Challenge winner AI SpaceFactory provides environmental sustainability expertise and challenge coordination for LunaRecycle. The partnership leverages previous competition winner experience to advance NASA's waste management technology goals.
- VeoliaminorEnvironmental sustainability industry member contributing expertise to LunaRecycle Challenge. Veolia provides knowledge in waste management and resource recovery for the competition.
- BoeingcoreBoeing partners with NASA on the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project, developing aircraft with Transonic Truss-Braced Wing configuration to advance fuel efficiency in commercial aviation.
- ESA (European Space Agency)coreESA collaborates with NASA on multiple missions including the Euclid space telescope, SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory), and Gateway lunar space station. The partnership includes joint missions, instrument sharing, and international space exploration coordination.
- International Space Station Partners (CSA, ESA, JAXA, Roscosmos)coreNASA collaborates with international agencies on International Space Station operations, research, and crew rotations. Partnership enables continuous human presence in space and shared research facilities.
- NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)coreNASA collaborates with NOAA on space weather prediction and Earth observation missions. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center serves as the operational arm while NASA provides research observations.
- U.S. Department of DefenseminorDOD partners with NASA on shared technology interests including propulsion testing, launch capabilities, and space situational awareness. Collaboration enables efficient use of government launch infrastructure.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
NASA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- China National Space Administration (CNSA): CNSA is China's national space agency with a parallel program to NASA's - lunar exploration (Chang'e), Mars missions (Tianwen), space station (Tiangong), and human spaceflight. It is a direct peer in mission scope and geopolitical competition for space exploration leadership.
- Canadian Space Agency (CSA): CSA is the Canadian space agency and a core ISS partner providing Canadarm robotics and crew members. As a national civil space agency with a defined mandate and budget, it is a direct peer in the international space agency ecosystem in which NASA operates.
- European Space Agency (ESA): ESA is the most direct international counterpart to NASA, operating as an intergovernmental civil space agency with comparable missions (Euclid, SOHO, Gateway collaboration), international partner relationships, and a similar mandate of scientific exploration, Earth observation, and human spaceflight coordination.
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): ISRO is India's national space agency with comparable capabilities in launch, planetary exploration (Chandrayaan, Mars Orbiter Mission), and Earth observation. It operates with a similar institutional structure as a government civilian space agency at a smaller budget scale.
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA): JAXA is Japan's national space agency and an ISS partner, with comparable roles in human spaceflight coordination, robotic exploration, ISS module contribution (Kibo), and Gateway partnership. It operates at smaller scale but with a similar civil/mandate structure as NASA.
- Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos): Roscosmos is the Russian civil space agency and historically a core ISS partner. Despite recent geopolitical tensions, it remains a peer in operating space stations, launching crewed missions, and conducting planetary exploration, with comparable institutional challenges related to funding volatility.
Others
- Northrop Grumman: Northrop Grumman is a NASA contractor on the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) for Gateway, Cygnus cargo missions to ISS, and James Webb Space Telescope sunshield. It is a peer in space structures, mechanisms, and orbital systems delivery.
- Boeing: Boeing is a core NASA contractor on the Space Launch System, Starliner crew vehicle, and Sustainable Flight Demonstrator. While primarily a commercial aerospace company, it is a key peer in space systems integration and a long-standing institutional partner of NASA across human spaceflight.
- Lockheed Martin: Lockheed Martin is a major NASA contractor on Orion spacecraft, Mars missions, and various space science payloads. While a defense/aerospace prime rather than a peer agency, it functions as a peer in space systems manufacturing and scientific instrument development.
Emerging players
- SpaceX: SpaceX is NASA's primary commercial launch partner and increasingly a peer in capability for human spaceflight (Crew Dragon), lunar lander development (HLS Starship), and deep space exploration. While not a government agency, it competes with NASA on execution speed and is reshaping the agency's role from implementer to anchor customer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
NASA social profiles
Digital presenceNASA compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
NASA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NASA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
NASA subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries20 records
NASA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NASA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about NASA
What does NASA do?
NASA is the U.S. federal civilian space agency that conducts space exploration, aeronautics research, and scientific discovery through human spaceflight programs (Artemis, International Space Station), robotic missions (Perseverance Mars rover, OSIRIS-REx), space telescopes (James Webb, Hubble, Chandra, TESS), and Earth observation satellites (PACE). The agency provides free public access to scientific data, mission imagery, educational resources, and streaming content via NASA+, and supports innovation through SBIR/STTR programs, Centennial Challenges, and STEM engagement programs serving over 2,000 students annually.
Is NASA a public or private company?
NASA is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was NASA founded?
NASA was founded in 1958. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is NASA based?
NASA is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
Who are NASA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are China National Space Administration (CNSA), Canadian Space Agency (CSA), European Space Agency (ESA), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos). Others are Northrop Grumman, Boeing and Lockheed Martin. SpaceX is listed as an emerging player.
Does NASA have an API?
No public API is recorded for NASA.
What industry is NASA in?
NASA's product category is Civilian Space Exploration. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAB, Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial), with a secondary code of IMABACAI, Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software. Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.