Created in 1958 from the NACA aeronautics laboratories. About 85% of its budget flows out as contracts and grants; ten field centers and commercial partners build what headquarters plans.
Open the interactive page for NASA →Created byNational Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, P.L. 85-568; recodified into Title 51 by P.L. 111-314 (2010)
Head appointed51 U.S.C. § 20111(a): Administrator appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; no fixed term (§ 20111(a) covers both establishment and the Administrator; § 20111(b) is the Deputy Administrator) (PAS)
Removal standardno statutory protection — at will (51 U.S.C. § 20111 specifies no term or removal standard)
Funded underannual Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (discretionary appropriations)
Congressional oversightHouse Science, Space, and Technology · Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Inspector generalown NASA OIG — PAS IG under the IG Act (5 U.S.C. § 403(a))
Judicial reviewAPA § 702 suits in district court; procurement disputes via Contract Disputes Act (41 U.S.C. §§ 7101–7109) and bid protests at GAO or the Court of Federal Claims (28 U.S.C. § 1491(b))
Comment on NASA solicitations and policies; ask your members of Congress, who set NASA's budget and often direct which programs and centers are funded.