1956-02-23 solar science

Large solar cosmic-ray enhancement detected

Ground-based instruments registered an exceptionally large increase in solar energetic particles.

1958-01-04 mission end

Sputnik 1 reenters

The first artificial satellite reentered Earth’s atmosphere.

1958-07-29 space policy

National Aeronautics and Space Act signed

President Dwight Eisenhower signed the law creating NASA.

1958-10-01 space policy

NASA begins operations

NASA opened as the United States’ civilian aeronautics and space agency.

1959-04-09 human spaceflight

Mercury Seven introduced

NASA announced its first seven astronauts.

1959-05-01 observatory institution

Goddard Space Flight Center established

Category: Organizations and People › , type: Organisation founded

NASA established a space-science center named for rocket pioneer Robert Goddard.

1959-09-13 impact

Luna 2: lunar impact

Moon impact.