Imagine stepping into the boots of an astronaut to experience the vastness of space right from your device. 

At the heart of such grand digital dreams lies NASA’s dedication to web modernization. By partnering with WordPress VIP for their web platform, they’re working toward making those dreams come true.

At WordCamp US this year, NASA Web Modernization Lead Abby Bowman and J.J. Toothman, Founder of WordPress VIP Gold Agency Partner Lone Rock Point, took the audience through their processes and spotlighted all the features they’re most excited about.

The dawn of collaborative editing

With the evolution of Gutenberg’s Block Editor on WordPress VIP, users can now enjoy an experience similar to editing a Google Doc—but within a website. The live collaborative editing feature promises real-time teamwork within the WordPress CMS, a game-changer for content creators.

SEO and domain consolidation

Diving into SEO, NASA has embarked on a significant journey of domain consolidation. The primary goal is user-centricity. By consolidating multiple subdomains into a singular hub, NASA aims to preserve existing SEO value while ensuring that the content remains easily discoverable. This move will also address the challenge of content duplication across multiple sites, like mars.nasa.gov and the flagship nasa.gov, bringing a more cohesive user experience.

One of the standout examples in this consolidation journey is the new beta.science.nasa.gov site. Previously, the science content from this site was scattered across multiple domains. Now, all this valuable information has been migrated to a unified science website, making it easier for users to navigate and find what they’re looking for.

Championing accessibility

Accessibility, as always, remains paramount. WordPress VIP and NASA have worked in tandem with WordPress VIP Silver Agency Partner Equalize Digital, creators of the accessibility checker for the Block Editor and WordPress. The checker means every block and template undergoes rigorous manual audits to ensure compliance with the highest accessibility standards. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about truly enhancing the experience for all users.

Open source aspirations

For the tech enthusiasts pondering the code behind all these innovations, yes, NASA is looking to make it open source. The intention is rooted in NASA’s ethos of sharing knowledge with the world. 

It’s exhilarating to see how NASA is harnessing the power of WordPress VIP to enhance its digital presence. The ongoing efforts emphasize a user-first approach, a testament to NASA’s commitment to its global audience.