Final answer:
NASA was established in response to the Soviet Union's early successes in space exploration during the Space Race. It played a crucial role in advancing U.S. space exploration efforts.
Step-by-step explanation:
NASA was established in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was created with a civilian orientation to encourage peaceful applications in space science. It was a response to the Soviet Union's early successes in space exploration, including the launch of the first satellite, Sputnik, in 1957. NASA played a crucial role in the Space Race and has since led most U.S. space exploration efforts.