Charles Bolden was nominated by President Obama in 2009 to be the NASA administrator, with Lori Garver as deputy administrator. NASA is a United States government agency responsible for the civilian space program and aeronautics research, formed in 1958. Key missions and programs included Explorer (1958-2011), Ranger (1960s moon images), Apollo (1969 first moon landing), Space Shuttle (1981-2011), and current investigations of Mars, Saturn, Earth, and the Sun.