Apr 2 1958

From The Space Library

In a message to Congress, President Eisenhower proposed the establishment of a National Aeronautics and Space Agency into which the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics would be absorbed. This agency was to have responsibility for civilian space science and aeronautical research. It would conduct research in these fields in its own facilities or by contract and would also perform military research required by the military departments. Interim projects pertaining to the civilian program which were under the direction of the Advanced Research Projects Agency would be transferred to the civilian space agency. A National Aeronautics and Space Board, appointed by the President and composed of eminent persons outside the Government and representatives of interested Government agencies (with at least one member from the Department of Defense), was to assist the President and the Director of the National Aeronautics and Space Agency.

Original budget request of $340 million in new obligational authority for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for fiscal year 1959 was raised to $520 million for advanced research projects in a letter from the Director of the Bureau of the Budget, Maurice H. Stans, which was transmitted to Congress by President Eisenhower.