Final answer:
The author's purpose is to provide additional context about NASA's formation, highlighting its consolidation of previous aeronautical and rocket research resources which underscores its role in the US response during the Cold War space race.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author's purpose in the passage discussing NASA and its inception is likely to add supplemental information that explains the situation. This context allows readers to understand the broader shifts in US policy and strategy in response to the space race, particularly after the Soviet Union's early successes in space. The passage explains how NASA was formed by absorbing NACA (which was behind Chuck Yeager’s historic flight), together with resources from Caltech’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Langley Research Center, and the army’s rocket-research team.
Such details help detail the consolidation of aeronautical research to bolster the United States' efforts in space exploration during the Cold War era, reflecting the urgency and national priority given to science and technology, especially in the face of international competition and security concerns. The passage mentions notable figures like President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Congress, and the role of Van Allen, thereby intertwining technical development with political decisions and scientific advocacy. It also touches on federal government initiatives like the National Defense Education Act that promoted education in math, science, and engineering in response to the space race.