President Dwight D. Eisenhower, in a message to Congress, proposed the establishment of a National Aeronautics and Space Agency into which the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics would be absorbed. The new agency would conduct the civilian space program through research in its own facilities or by contract and would also perform military research required by DOD. Projects primarily military in character would remain the responsibility of DOD.

A National Aeronautics and Space Board, appointed by the President and composed of eminent persons outside the government and representatives of interested government agencies (with at least one member from DOD), was to assist the President and the Director of the National Aeronautics and Space Agency.