Yesterday, at 10:57 a.m. and some seconds Central Time (US), the space shuttle Discovery touched down for the last time before being retired from service. The perfect landing completed 14 days in space and came six days after an event which was marked with little fanfare or public attention.
It was the anniversary – the 96th – of the founding of an organization which impacted in no small way the development of aviation in the United States and, indeed, around the world. The Advisory Committee for Aeronautics – ‘National’ was added later – was established on 3 March 1915 and its role was more than the name implies. Besides giving the President advice, the Committee was to coordinate aviation-related research efforts going on at a time when Europe was entrenched in the Great War – later known as the First World War. The development of aircraft* for military purposes was proceeding at an ever-increasing pace overseas and had threatened to leave a neutral United States ‘behind the eight ball’.
Once America entered the Great War in April 1917, the Committee expanded its activities significantly. From reports on investigations of aerodynamics, airfoils, engines, instruments, materials and meteorology efforts turned to research. The first NACA wind tunnel was not completed until 1920 but it heralded what would be almost four decades of leading-edge research and development in aviation and space technology.
Its personnel and the data accrued in its research facilities in the post-World War I years contributed to the advancement of civil and military aviation in America as new aerodynamic discoveries were applied by aircraft manufacturers. Research into all facets of flight during the Second World War contributed to the eventual Allied victory. The exploration of high-speed flight, with its military and commercial applications, and rocket development in the decade following World War II ultimately paved the way to the end of NACA.
The growing use of, and research into, missiles and rockets for military purposes, the interest in scientific exploration outside of the earth’s atmosphere and, ultimately, the first successful launch of a man-made satellite – Sputnik I – by the Soviet Union in October 1957 led to general agreement that an organization to lead the way in America was necessary. The result, the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, was passed to establish various councils and committees and, on 1 October 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration at which time NACA was no more.
Its mandate was based on that of NACA but research and the development of space-related technology and space exploration was emphasized in addition to aviation activities. Continuing in the finest traditions of its predecessor, NASA’s accomplishments in all areas of aviation and space research and development have been legion indeed.
* The term ‘aircraft’ includes both airplanes and lighter-than-air balloons and airships.
(above) When the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics was created in 1915, less than a dozen years had elapsed since the Wrights first flew under power at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The focus of NACA’s research and development, even with the development of rockets and missiles after World War II, was predominantly on flight within the earth’s atmosphere. Such R&D remained an important part of NASA’s activities and has advanced knowledge, technology and safety in all areas of flight. Today NASA continues this important work and operates a diverse fleet of aircraft in doing so including this Boeing F/A-18 Hornet which displays the administration’s latest markings.
