The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. 

President Dwight D. Eisenhower established NASA in 1958 with a distinctly civilian (rather than military) orientation encouraging peaceful applications in space science. The National Aeronautics and Space Act was passed on July 29, 1958, disestablishing NASA's predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). The new agency became operational on October 1, 1958. 

Since that time, most US space exploration efforts have been led by NASA, including the Apollo Moon landing missions, the Skylab space station, and later the Space Shuttle. Currently, NASA is supporting the International Space Station and is overseeing the development of the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, the Space Launch System and Commercial Crew vehicles. The agency is also responsible for the Launch Services Program (LSP) which provides oversight of launch operations and countdown management for unmanned NASA launches. 

NASA science is focused on better understanding Earth through the Earth Observing System, advancing heliophysics through the efforts of the Science Mission Directorate's Heliophysics Research Program, exploring bodies throughout the Solar System with advanced robotic spacecraft missions such as "New Horizons", and researching astrophysics topics, such as the Big Bang, through the Great Observatories and associated programs. NASA shares data with various national and international organizations such as from the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite. Since 2011, NASA has been criticized for low cost efficiency, achieving little results in return for high development costs.
Who established NASA?
In what year?
What kind of agency is it?
Is it part of the US government?
Which branch?
What does it oversee?
What act was passed in July 1958?
What did it do?
When did the new agency begin operation?
What is NASA focused on?
What else?
What was it criticized for in 2011?
Achieving what?
What is a mission led by them?
Did it lead the Moon landing?
What is it currently supporting?
Overseeing what?
What is LSP?
What does it do?
What is it's science focused on?
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
President Dwight D. Eisenhower established NASA
1958
President Dwight D. Eisenhower established NASA in 1958 
independent
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States
yes
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government 
the executive branch
(NASA ) is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government 
the civilian space program as well as aeronautics and aerospace research
(NASA ) is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. 
The National Aeronautics and Space Act
The National Aeronautics and Space Act was passed on July 29, 1958,
disestablished NASA's predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA)
 The National Aeronautics and Space Act was passed on July 29, 1958, disestablishing NASA's predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA).
October 1, 1958.
The new agency became operational on October 1, 1958. 
better understanding Earth through the Earth Observing System
NASA science is focused on better understanding Earth through the Earth Observing System,
advancing heliophysics
 advancing heliophysics
low cost efficiency
 Since 2011, NASA has been criticized for low cost efficiency,
little results in return for high development costs
NASA has been criticized for low cost efficiency, achieving little results in return for high development costs.
"New Horizons"
NASA science is focused on better understanding Earth through the Earth Observing System, advancing heliophysics through the efforts of the Science Mission Directorate's Heliophysics Research Program, exploring bodies throughout the Solar System with advanced robotic spacecraft missions such as "New Horizons",
yes
Since that time, most US space exploration efforts have been led by NASA, including the Apollo Moon landing missions
the International Space Station
 NASA is supporting the International Space Station
the development of the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle
NASA is supporting the International Space Station and is overseeing the development of the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle
Launch Services Program
Launch Services Program (LSP) 
provides oversight of launch operations and countdown management for unmanned NASA launches
 the Launch Services Program (LSP) which provides oversight of launch operations and countdown management for unmanned NASA launches. 
on better understanding Earth through the Earth Observing System
NASA science is focused on better understanding Earth through the Earth Observing System