Which U.S. president approved the first U.S. outer space launch (mission)?

Dwight D. Eisenhower approved the first U.S. space mission in 1955, a scientific satellite to be launched as part of the 1957-1958 International Geophysical Year. He subsequently made key decisions that led to the creation of NASA in 1958 as the United States debated how best to respond to the surprise Soviet launch of Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957.

President Eisenhower initially dismissed the Soviet feat as “one small ball in the air”. While he was correct that Sputnik did not pose an imminent threat to U.S. security, it is believed that he misjudged the short term public reaction and was unable to calm American fears.

The United States nearly four months after Sputnik 1 successfully launched its first satellite in 1958 on a four stage Juno I rocket. Thus, when Eisenhower left office in January 1961, NASA did not at that time have a clear view of its short or long term future.