Stennis Space Center
NASA’s Stennis Space Center in south Mississippi operates as the agency’s primary, and America’s largest, rocket propulsion test site, serving the nation and commercial sector with unique capabilities and expertise.
Location
Stennis Space Center Mississippi
Founded
October 25, 1961
People
5,200+
Director
John Bailey
A Defining Era
In 1975, NASA Stennis conducted its first test of a space shuttle main engine. The next 34 years of shuttle engine testing would help define the center and ensure its future as the nation’s premier propulsion test site.
Take a Look Back about A Defining Era
Latest NASA Stennis News
Front Door
Whether you represent industry, government, or academia, step inside and explore the capabilities, services, technologies, and opportunities NASA Stennis provides. Connect with us as we expand frontiers in exploration, technology, and the space economy.
Step Inside about Front Door
Mission Objectives
NASA's Stennis Space Center is the partner of choice for providing propulsion test capabilities to the nation. NASA Stennis utilizes its unique location and assets to collaborate with other agencies, academia, and industry to develop and test autonomous systems, enhance national security, and increase knowledge of the Earth and its oceans.
Propulsion Test
NASA Stennis features unique test facilities and capabilities to enable and support a range of propulsion-related projects and activities.
Autonomous Systems
NASA Stennis is emerging as an industry leader in designing, testing, and deploying autonomous and advanced systems needed for future deep space missions.
Range and Airspace Operations
NASA Stennis offers protected air, ground, and waterway space to enable companies in conducting unmanned and autonomous vehicle systems.
Federal City
NASA Stennis provides a unique location and shared assets to support the individual missions and work of a variety of on-site companies and entities.
Powering Space Dreams
As the nation’s largest multiuser propulsion test site, NASA Stennis supports and helps power both national and commercial space efforts and missions.
Learn How
More About NASA Stennis
NASA’s Stennis Space Center, near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, is a federal city operated by NASA since 1961. NASA and more than 50 federal, state, academic, public, and private aerospace, technology, and research organizations located onsite share in operating costs, which allows tenants to direct more of their money to individual missions. If their combined workforces of more than 5,200 employees were counted as a single entity, Stennis would rank among the Top 10 Mississippi companies in size. The Stennis Federal City is a major economic engine for the Gulf Coast region, with an average direct annual impact of more than $846 million within a 50-mile radius.
NASA Stennis is…
Learn more about the nation's largest propulsion test site.
Part of Something Great (2025)
View video highlighting center and its Artemis testing work.
NASA Stennis Strategic Plan
Review NASA Stennis goals and objectives in key areas of work moving forward.
Visit NASA Stennis
Explore space-related and other assorted exhibits at the INFINITY Science Center, host to the NASA Stennis Visitor Center.
Learn More About the NASA Stennis Visitor Center about Visit NASA Stennis
NASA Stennis Publications
Read our monthly newsletter and more.
Lagniappe
Learn the latest about NASA Stennis news and activities, including propulsion testing and much more.
NASA Stennis Fact Sheets
Learn more about work and operations at the nation's largest propulsion test site.
Byways to Space
Enjoy scenic tours of the NASA Stennis acoustical buffer zone and learn about site history as well.
