[meteorite-list] NASA & Dept. of Defense

[Kelly Beatty]

Kirk...

> In fact, NASA already IS part of the Dept. of Defense. With a quick check of 
> NASA's charter, it clearly defines that NASA operates "officially" under 
> Dept. of Defense jurisdiction.

uh, no. NASA was expressly set up to be a civilian agency. the "NATIONAL
AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ACT OF 1958" (as amended) is here:
http://history.nasa.gov/spaceact-legishistory.pdf

it says, in part: "...such activities shall be the responsibility of, and shall
be directed by, a civilian agency exercising control over aeronautical and
space activities sponsored by the United States, except that activities
peculiar to or primarily associated with the development of weapons systems,
military operations, or the defense of the United States (including the
research and
development necessary to make effective provision for the defense of the United
States) shall be the responsibility of, and shall be directed by, the
Department of Defense; and that determination as to which such agency has
responsibility for and direction of any such activity shall be made by the
President..."

initially there was a National Space Council, chaired by the Vice President, on
which the Secretary of Defense was a member; and initially there was a
Civilian-Military Liaison Committee. both have since been abolished.


clear skies,
Kelly

****************
J. Kelly Beatty
Senior Contributing Editor
SKY & TELESCOPE
617-416-9991
SkyandTelescope.com