In the years leading up to the formation of NASA, the US and USSR were increasingly at odds. With the Soviet Union making major progress.
So does nasa stand for?
Established on July 29, 1958, NASA stands for “The National Aeronautics and Space Administration”. NASA is funded by the United States Federal Government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. NASA began operations on October 1, 1958,The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) preceded NASA.
When President Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, NASA absorbed the 43-year-old NACA along with 8,000 employees, an annual budget of US$100 million, and facilities.
- Langley Aeronautical Laboratory
- Ames Aeronautical Laboratory
- Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory
- two small test facilities.
- Portions of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency
- Portions of the United States Naval Research Laboratory
- Portions of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA)
- Portions of ARPA’s early space programs
- In December 1958, NASA gained control of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Since its establishment, most US space exploration efforts have been led by NASA,
- The Mercury Program
- The Gemini Program
- The Apollo Moon Program
- Skylab space station
- Apollo-souyez
- The Space Shuttle
- Major contributions to The International Space Station
NASA is continuing to work on new projects including:
- The Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle
- The Space Launch System
- Commercial Crew vehicles
- Deep Space Gateway
