The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government. NASA is responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space research. It was first founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in July 1958. NASA was the successor of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). The new establishment gave the US a civil orientation, which allowed a more peaceful approach to the development of space aircraft and eventually space exploration.