Introduction to Space Exploration - Flying Takes Off

In 1914 World War I broke out in Europe. The power of aerial warfare became apparent immediately. The United States realized that it was behind its European counterparts in aviation expertise. In 1915 the U.S. government formed a new agency called the Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (ACA). Later the word "National" was tacked on and the agency became known as the NACA. The NACA began an ambitious campaign of research and development into aircraft design and flight theory.

When the war ended in 1918 the United States had made great progress in the field of aviation. By this time there were commercial airline services in operation, and public attitudes about flying were beginning to change. The daring feats of World War I pilots, such as Manfred von Richthofen (The Red Baron), had brought an air of excitement to flying.

In May 1927 a man named Charles A. Lindbergh achieved a great victory in the effort to make transoceanic flight a practical means of travel and trade. Lucky Lindy, as he was called, completed the first trans-Atlantic flight between New York and Paris. On May 21, 1927, his monoplane The Spirit of St. Louis landed on a Paris airstrip amid throngs of cheering spectators. Lindbergh was an instant hero, and flying was suddenly of vital interest to Americans, who thrilled to the adventures of pilots such as Amelia Earhart, Wiley Post, Howard Hughes, and Douglas (Wrong-Way) Corrigan.

Meanwhile the NACA continued its work in aviation science. Orville Wright joined the organization and remained a member until his death in 1948. During these decades the NACA drove many developments within the field of aeronautics, except for one—rockets.