What To Know About NACA: NASA’s Predecessor

In October 1958, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) came into being, replacing the previous NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics). NACA was NASA’s forerunner, starting with humble beginnings in World War I and significantly contributing to aircraft design by World War II. In the Cold War, NACA’s role became ever-increasingly space related, causing it to be remodeled into NASA. Today NASA continues the much-expanded role of NACA in both air and space (and it operates a diverse range of aircraft).