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October 1, 1958Reputable sourceWell documented

NASA opens its doors

On the timeline · around October 1, 1958 · NASA opens its doors19521954195619581960196219641966

What happened

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration began operations, absorbing the earlier NACA and unifying US civilian spaceflight.

Why it matters

The institutional engine of Apollo, the shuttles, the great observatories, and Artemis.

Sources