One hundred years have passed since NASA’s forerunner – the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, or NACA, was established.
NACA was formed in 1915, largely due to the concern expressed by United States leaders that the nation was starting to become second in line behind Europe in regards to aviation technology during World War 1. It marked the beginning of a series of technological advancements in the field of aeronautics and was designed with a purpose of supervising and directing the scientific study of the misconceptions of flight, according to the Administrator of NASA, Charles F. Bolden.
The research by the engineers of NACA led to the advancement of the aerospace technology across the world and it continued when NASA, or National Aeronautics and Space Administration, was created from NACA in 1958. NASA is a government agency of the United States that is responsible for space programs, aeronautics and the advancement of aerospace technology.
Soon enough, NASA inherited NACA’s capabilities and brilliance. Former NACA’s great minds became the leaders, directors and researchers of NASA – even famous space explorers, such as Neil Armstrong, Robert Gilruth, Chris Kraft and many others.
The workforce of NASA, including its engineers, researchers, technicians and staff, began to envision having flights through and beyond our Earth’s atmosphere. With such investment placed into the space flight effort, humans eventually set foot on the Moon with Apollo program of 1969. It also launched several space probes that have explored the moon, various other planets and the expanses of the solar system. In addition, NASA pioneered space application satellites.
But these are only some of revolutionary works of NASA. It seems that NASA, thanks to the foundation provided by NACA, will never stop modernizing and exerting efforts in creating new types of air vehicles and advanced space technology in the near future.
Now, every March 3 is a reminder of NACA’s great contributions in the world of aeronautics. As NASA celebrates its 100 years of achievements in aviation, it will continue the heritage built by NACA in developing the excellence of aerospace, technology, research and success of human flights around and outside the planet.
Due to its legacy, the United States is confident that every aircraft and control tower is operated with NASA developed technology, ensuring that every time an aircraft and spacecraft fly, NASA is with them, guaranteeing its safety.
