The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) was a U.S. government agency that was responsible for conducting research and development in the field of aeronautics. It was established in 1915 and operated until 1958, when it was replaced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The NACA was created in response to the growing importance of aviation in the early 20th century. It was tasked with conducting research on the physical properties of air and the behavior of aircraft in order to improve the design and performance of aircraft. The NACA also worked on developing new technologies and materials for use in aircraft construction.
During its early years, the NACA focused mainly on basic research, but it eventually began to conduct more applied research as well. This included work on jet propulsion, supersonic flight, and space flight. The NACA made numerous contributions to the development of aviation, including the development of the first supersonic wind tunnel and the first rocket-powered aircraft. Many of the technologies and innovations developed by the NACA continue to be used in aviation and space exploration today.