Research and development agencies

A research and development agency is a government agency that carries out activities to discover and create new knowledge about scientific and technological topics, for the purpose of uncovering and enabling development of valuable new products, processes, and services.

Described below are some examples of research and development agencies.

DARPA
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is an agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the development of new technology for use by the military. DARPA has been responsible for funding the development of many technologies which have had a major impact on the world, including computer networking (ARPANET), as well as NLS, which was both the first hypertext system, and an important precursor to the contemporary ubiquitous graphical user interface.

It was originally established in 1958 under the name of Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), but it was renamed DARPA (for Defense) on March 23, 1972, then back to ARPA on February 22, 1993, and then back to DARPA again on March 11, 1996.

In 1970, ARPA became involved in several projects, including global positioning satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles, a human cannon, and an aircraft comparable to a UFO. ARPA also conducted a project called "Metabolism Dominance" that related to making soldiers fight without eating for five whole days, and another unnamed project that involved getting soldiers to fight without sleeping.

After the disastrous results of the Lady Mercury mission, Strangelove transferred from NASA to ARPA and fully dedicated herself to researching AIs in an attempt to avoid repeating the same tragedy, as it was the only place she could make a living from her AI research. Strangelove was later downsized from ARPA, which shortly thereafter became DARPA, as a result of the Détente era being ushered in.

During the 2000s, DARPA was involved in the creation of Metal Gear REX by ArmsTech after its Chief, Donald Anderson (formerly known as Sigint), himself a big supporter of nuclear deterrence theory, was heavily bribed by ArmsTech president Kenneth Baker to allow development. Besides REX, DARPA was also involved in the Boeing X-50 Dragonfly Canard Rotor/Wing project, although problems in the transition mode resulted in its cancellation in 2006. In addition, DARPA was also involved in the creation of the exoskeleton that was later utilized by Solidus Snake during the 2009 Big Shell Incident and the perfected Land Warrior System equipment that was later utilized by the Hi-Tech Soldiers.

Former members
 * Donald Anderson
 * Strangelove

NASA
The National Air Space Administration (NASA) is an agency of the Executive Branch of the United States Government, responsible for the nation's civilian Space Program, aeronautics, and aerodynamic research. It was founded in July 29, 1958, although it did not become operational until October 1 of the same year, as part of the Space Race. During the first years of its creation, NASA recruited British AI researcher Dr. Strangelove, from the California Institute of Technology, into its Mercury Project, where she first encountered The Boss. Strangelove oversaw the experimental launch on April 21 of 1961 that resulted in The Boss's hospitalization.

In 1969, NASA conducted its first landing on the moon with the Saturn V. However, a Soviet Spy within NASA stole blueprints relating to the rocket, which resulted in the modifications to the silo at San Hieronymo Peninsula. During the Détente era of the 1970s, NASA's budget was slashed.

Former members
 * Huey Emmerich
 * Strangelove