Original: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA , ) is an Executive Branch agency of the United States government , responsible for the nation 's civilian space program and aeronautics and aerospace research . Since February 2006 , NASA 's self-described mission statement is to '' pioneer the future in space exploration , scientific discovery and aeronautics research . ''
Simplified: NASA or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the part of the United States government that deals with space Exploration and aeronautics , the operating and designing of planes .