how NaSa was formed

The case for an overarching US space authority became clear after the Soviet Union’s shock victory in the 1957 race to put a satellite in orbit

1 May 1957

Almost in orbit

The US Naval Research Laboratory fires a dummy satellite onto a suborbital flightpath using the first and third stages of its Vanguard rocket.

8 august 1957

Return from space

Wernher von Braun’s Army rocket team use a Jupiter-C missile to fire a one-thirdscale missile nose cone into space and study its condition after returning to Earth.

4 october 1957

Red star in orbit

The Soviet Union successfully launches the 84 kilogram Sputnik 1 satellite, an orbiting radio beacon whose signals are heard around the world.

8 November 1957

Project Orbiter reprieved

Following the Soviet launch of Sputnik 2, von Braun’s team at Huntsville are authorised to begin preparations for a satellite launch as a backup for the Vanguard programme.

6 December 1957

Disaster on the launchpad

The Naval Research Laboratory’s Vanguard TV-3 rocket, intended to put the first US satellite into orbit, explodes just two seconds into its flight.

31 January 1958

The US reaches orbit

The launch of the Explorer 1 satellite on von Braun’s Juno launch vehicle puts America back in the Space Race – but with a lot of catching up to do.

7 february 1958

Ending the rivalries

President Eisenhower orders all US federal space projects to be brought under the control of ARPA, part of the Department of Defense.

5 March 1958

The advisors report

Eisenhower receives a formal recommendation from his scientific advisors to establish a new civilian agency controlling all non-military aerospace projects.

2 april 1958

The case for space

Eisenhower sets out the case for US engagement in space exploration and proposes the formation of NASA to Congress and the American public.

29 July 1958

NASA is born

Following approval of the National Aeronautics and Space Act in both houses of Congress, President Eisenhower signs the act into law.