Headquarters of National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, D.C.
JPL developed first JATO units in 1941.
Other Laboratory Projects were the Corporal missile (left) and Explorer I (right), the first U.S. satellite.
Under the terms of the law which created NASA, it is a Federal Agency dedicated to carrying out “activities in space ... devoted to peaceful purposes for the benefit of all mankind.” NASA is charged to preserve the role of our nation as a leader in the aeronautical and space sciences and technology and to utilize effectively the science and engineering resources of the United States in accomplishing these goals. Activities associated with military operations in space and the development of weapons systems are specifically assigned to the Defense Department.
In November, 1957, before the creation of NASA, President Eisenhower had established a Scientific Advisory Committee to determine the national objectives and requirements in space and to establish the basic framework within which science, industry, and the academic community could best support these objectives.
The Committee submitted a report to the President in March, 1958, recommending creation of a civilian agency to conduct the national space programs. The recommendation, endorsed by the President, was submitted to the Congress on April 2, 1958. The National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 was passed and became law in July, 1958.
NASA was officially established on October 1, 1958, and Dr. T. Keith Glennan, President of Case Institute of Technology, was appointed as the first Administrator. The facilities and personnel of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) were transferred to form the nucleus of the new NASA agency.