The National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Following closely after the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik, the act abolished the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and transferred its activities and resources to NASA.

The Act also created a Civilian-Military Liaison Committee, for the purpose of coordinating civilian and military space applications, and keeping NASA and the Department of Defense “fully and currently informed” of each other’s space activities.

Source: Wikipedia