Memorandum on the Organization of U.S. Space Activities & NASA (1959)

Date: October 21, 1959

Created By: T. Keith Glennan and Thomas S. Gates

Original or Replica: Original

Era: The Space Race, The Presidency

Collection: Eisenhower Presidential Library

Citations: DDE’s Records as President, Official File, Box 770, OF 342 NASA (7)

This memorandum was submitted to President Dwight D. Eisenhower by NASA Administrator Dr. T. Keith Glennan and Secretary of Defense Neil H. McElroy to recommend how the United States should organize and coordinate its rapidly expanding space program. Written during the early years of the Space Race, the document addresses the division of responsibilities between NASA and the Department of Defense as both agencies worked to advance American space capabilities.

The memorandum proposes transferring several military rocket development programs to NASA, consolidating major launch vehicle development under a single civilian agency, and strengthening cooperation between NASA and the Department of Defense. It also discusses the early development of the Saturn rocket and outlines how military and civilian space programs could work together while maintaining distinct responsibilities. The document concludes by recommending that these organizational changes be implemented immediately upon presidential approval.