Executive Order 10783—Transferring Certain Functions From the Department of Defense to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

By virtue of the authority vested in me by the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (Public Law 85-568; 72 Stat. 426), and as President of the United States, it is ordered as follows:

SECTION 1. All functions (including powers, duties, activities, and parts of functions) of the Department of Defense, or of any officer or organizational entity of the Department of Defense, with respect to the following are hereby transferred to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration:

(a) The United States scientific satellite project (Project VANGUARD).

(b) Specific projects of the Advanced Research Projects Agency and of the Department of the Air Force which relate to space activities (including lunar probes, scientific satellites, and super-thrust boosters) within the scope of the functions devolving upon the National aeronautics and Space Administration under the provisions of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, and which shall be more particularly described in one or more supplementary Executive orders hereafter issued.

SEC. 2. (a) The Secretary of the Treasury shall immediately transfer to the appropriation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for "Research and Development", from such appropriations of the Department of Defense as the Secretary of Defense shall designate, the following amounts:

(1) In connection with the transfer of functions provided for in section 1 (a) hereof, such amounts as shall be determined by the Director of the Bureau of the Budget pursuant to section 202 (b) of the Budget and Accounting Procedures Act of 1950 (31 U.S.C. 581c (b)) and section 1 (k) of Executive Order No. 10530 of May 11, 1954.

(2) In connection with the transfer of functions of the Advanced Research Projects Agency provided for in section 1 (b) hereof, $59,200,000.

(3) In connection with the transfer of functions of the Department of the Air Force provided for in section 1 (b) hereof, $57,800,000.

(b) In connection with the transfer of functions provided for in section 1, appropriate transfers of records, property, facilities, and civilian personnel shall be carried out as may be agreed upon from time to time by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Department of Defense.

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

THE WHITE HOUSE,

October 1, 1958.