James H. NewmanStatus: Retired 10/16/1956 – Nationality: American Type: Government First Flight: 9/22/1993 Last Flight: 3/1/2002James Hansen Newman, Ph.D. is an American physicist and a former NASA astronaut who flew on four Space Shuttle missions.LaunchesSpace Shuttle Discovery / OV-103 | STS-51Space Shuttle Endeavour / OV-105 | STS-69Space Shuttle Endeavour / OV-105 | STS-88Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-109National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationType: Government Abbreviation: NASA Administration: Administrator: Jim Bridenstine Founded: 1958 Launchers: Space Shuttle | SLS Spacecraft: Orion Country: USAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. NASA have many launch facilities but most are inactive. The most commonly used pad will be LC-39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.