The acronym NASA stands for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Established in 1958, NASA is the United States government agency responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research. Its primary goals include the exploration of outer space, the study of Earth, and the development of new technologies for space travel. NASA has been instrumental in numerous space missions, including the Apollo moon-landing missions, the Space Shuttle program, and the Mars rover explorations. Over the years, it has made significant contributions to science and technology.