Question

From the beginning, did Congress want the researchers to pursue space flight?

Answer 1

Congress wanted researchers to pursue space flight and considered it important for national security and technological advancement.

Step-by-step explanation:

Congress responded to the Soviet space program by increasing funding for research and development programs and consolidating existing aeronautical research programs into the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The government also passed the National Defense Education Act, which provided funding for colleges to promote math, science, engineering, and foreign languages. This showed that Congress wanted researchers to pursue space flight and considered it important for national security and technological advancement.