In response to the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik in 1957, the United States initiated its own space program, ultimately leading to the creation of NASA on April 2, 1958. President Eisenhower directed Congress to establish the National Aeronautics and Space Agency, which officially opened in October 1958. NASA's objectives included expanding knowledge of space and the atmosphere, improving vehicle performance, and conducting long-range studies for peaceful aeronautical and space activities.

1. Early NASA history

2. In 1950s, America was in a cold war with Russia. On Oct. 4, 1957, Russia launched Sputnik (satellite), so America thought they had to do something to arrive in space before Russian , so they decided to react by creating their own space program.

3. They could not decide if they should create a program in the military or add it in as a department in an already existing agency, ( like, the National Science Foundation) .

4. In the end, it was decided to create a new agency. On April 2,1958 the president Eisenhower directed a congress to start the “National Aeronautics and Space Agency”.

5. T. Keith become 1st Administrator of NASA agency . NASA officially opened in Oct., 1958.

6. According to section 102 of the final Space Act, here are some objectives: 1. The expansion of human knowledge of phenomena in the atmosphere and space; 2.The improvement of the , performance, speed, safety, and efficiency of aeronautical and space vehicles; 3.The development and improvement of vehicles capable of carrying instruments, equipment, supplies, and living organisms through space; 4.The establishment of long-range studies of the potential benefits to be gained from, the opportunities for, and the problems involved in the utilization of aeronautical and space activities for peaceful and scientific purposes;

7. Sources 1. http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/whyweexplore/Why_We_29.html 2.http://chandrakantha.com/articles/indian_music/filmi_sangeet/media/1957_sputnik2.gif 3.http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/0403/x43a2_nasa_big.jpg 4.http://history.nasa.gov/SP-4306/p166.jp 5.http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_n5utq1JjLtc/SFdfQp0ql6I/AAAAAAAAADA/6zQCEtMQ8Ak/s400/nasa_logo.jp