Google, known best for its currently top-of-the-heap web search engine and assortment of connected tools, has teamed up with the United States National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) to help the space agency learn how to manage and use the massive amounts of data it collects every year.  The partnership for R&D efforts was announced by Google in September of 2005 but it wasn't until today that it became official.

The project to work with NASA on data analysis as well as novel ways to employ existing technology and systems, is being housed at the Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California.  The first project being worked on is regarding the availability of NASAs data online, with statements being made that there would soon be Google Earth flyovers available for the Moon and Mars.  Connected to this effort is real-time data on weather forecasts and visualization in addition to tracking information on the International Space Station and shuttle activity.