Public Law 85-568

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Public Law 85-568 is the 1958 U.S. federal statute that created NASA and established the framework for the nation’s civilian space program.


Statements (48)
Predicate Object
instanceOf United States federal statute
space law instrument
abbreviationOfCreatedAgency NASA
alsoKnownAs National Aeronautics and Space Act
amended various provisions of existing U.S. Code relating to aeronautics and space
codifiedIn Title 51 of the United States Code
congressNumber 85th United States Congress
contains National Space Policy objectives
declaration of national policy for aeronautical and space activities
country United States of America
createdAgency National Aeronautics and Space Administration
dateSigned 1958-07-29
designates NASA as a civilian agency
effectiveDate 1958-10-01
emphasizes use of space for peaceful purposes for the benefit of all mankind
enactedBy United States Congress
established National Aeronautics and Space Administration
establishes coordination mechanisms with Department of Defense for space activities
responsibilities of NASA Administrator
frameworkFor organization and management of U.S. civilian space activities
governs federal civilian aeronautics and space activities
historicalContext enacted after the launch of Sputnik 1
enacted during the Cold War
jurisdiction federal government of the United States
language English
legalCitation 72 Stat. 426
originallyCodifiedIn Title 42 of the United States Code
policyArea aeronautics policy
science and technology policy
space policy
predecessorAgencyTransferred National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
publicLawNumber 85-568
purpose to create a civilian agency to conduct aeronautical and space activities
to separate civilian space activities from military space activities
relatedTo United States aeronautics research
United States space program
setsOut goals for peaceful exploration of outer space
shortName National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958
signedBy Dwight D. Eisenhower
signingPresident Dwight D. Eisenhower
status amended statute in force, as codified in Title 51 U.S. Code
subjectMatter aeronautics research
civilian space program
space exploration policy
title An Act to provide for research into problems of flight within and outside the earth’s atmosphere, and for other purposes
transferredFunctionsFrom National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
typeOfLaw organic act
yearEnacted 1958

Referenced by (1)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
National Aeronautics and Space Act
publicLawNumber

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