NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
The United States government's civilian space agency, created by the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958. It began work on October 1, 1958, taking over the NACA's laboratories and staff.
Signing the National Aeronautics and Space Act
Dwight D. Eisenhower, statement on signing the National Aeronautics and Space Act, July 29, 1958 · July 29, 1958
The present National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), with its large and competent staff and well-equipped laboratories, will provide the nucleus for the NASA. The NACA has an established record of research performance and of cooperation with the Armed Services. The combination of space exploration responsibilities with the NACA’s traditional aeronautical research functions is a natural evolution.
The present National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), with its large and competent staff and well-equipped laboratories, will provide the nucleus for the NASA. The NACA has an established record of research performance and of cooperation with the Armed Services. The combination of space exploration responsibilities with the NACA’s traditional aeronautical research functions is a natural evolution.