An independent non-profit educational organization founded in 1974 by German rocket engineer Wernher von Braun to increase public understanding and support of space exploration, and to support technical, economic, and political activities that increase human presence in space. The NSS has more than 22 000 members, and is based in the USA, with about 50 chapters, including three each in Australia and India and one each in Canada, Germany, and Ireland. In January 2004, NSS joined with the Satellite Industry Association and the Washington Space Business Roundtable to create the National Space and Satellite Alliance (NSSA) to unify advocacy for issues concerning space policy.

The NSS publishes Ad Astra, a bimonthly magazine.