Congress and the Early Exploration of Space
Concern over the Soviet Union’s technical achievement of launching the Sputnik space satellite in October 1957 led the United States Congress to respond. The House of Representatives established the Committee on Science and Astronautics on July 21, 1958, after the Select Committee on Astronautics and Space Exploration had drafted legislation creating the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Just three days after the House action, the Senate established the standing Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences. The records from the first decade of work by the committees reflect how each provided jurisdictional oversight to the development of NASA and other non-military space programs.
Poll Sheet of Keith Glennan’s Nomination to be NASA’s First Administrator, August 14, 1958
NASA Land Acquisition Map of Cape Canaveral, Florida, ca. 1961
Photograph of Ham the Space Chimp After Orbiting the Earth, January 31, 1961
Advanced Manned Space Flight Proposal for Project Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo, ca. 1962
Photograph of Astronaut John Glenn Being Helped into His Mark VI Pressure Suit, January 23, 1962
Photograph of Astronauts John Glenn and Scott Carpenter Overlooking the Construction of the Launch Vehicle, January 26, 1962
Photograph of Scientists Testing a Laser Beacon for Project Gemini, ca. 1965
Proposal for Controlled Landing Systems for Project Gemini, ca. 1962
Image from Ranger VII, July 28, 1964
Petition from Henry Stoner Regarding the Success of Ranger VII’s Photographic Flight, August 4, 1964
More Information:
- Space Exploration Resources from the National Archives
- If you have problems viewing these images please contact legislative.archives@nara.gov.