There are many today who feel that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration that was autonomous in nature, completely civilian, but very few know of its exact origin and military oriented lineage. For those who do know a bit of space history, many see NASA's as being tied primarily to the Air Force more so than any other organization, but I am sure many would be surprised to know that it was the United States Army who would play a pivotal early role in human space-based technology and discoveries.