Established by the Naval Appropriation Act of 1915 (38 Stat. 930), March 3, 1915, to study problems of flight and to conduct research in aeronautics. Exercised policy and budget formulation responsibilities through a Main Committee of up to 17 persons, selected by the President from both public and private sectors. Conducted daily operations through a staff supervised by a director, assisted by an executive secretary. Conducted research and testing at field installations. Terminated by National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, with functions transferred to newly established NASA, which also assumed responsibility for Project Vanguard (see 255.6) from Naval Research Laboratory and several lunar probe and satellite development projects from Advanced Research Projects Agency, Department of Defense (DOD), pursuant to EO 10783, October 1, 1958; for Jet Propulsion Laboratory of Army Ordnance Missile Command by DOD-NASA agreement, December 3, 1958, pursuant to EO 10793, December 3, 1958; and for Development Operations Division of Army Ballistic Missile Agency, including Huntsville, AL, facility (see 255.4.3) and development of Saturn booster rocket, by DOD-NASA agreement, October 21, 1959, approved by the President, November 2, 1959; and accepted by Congress as Reorganization Plan (Transfer Plan), effective March 15, 1960.