John F. Kennedy had not even taken the oath of office when the battle began. In December 1960, with the inauguration a month away, the U.S. Air Force launched a first strikenot against a foreign enemy but against NASA, the civilian space agency. In a letter to commanders, the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force expressed confidence that the president-elect understood the imperative of military supremacy in space and would, therefore, grant the Air Force the primary role. Making sure that Kennedy got the point, the Air Force leaked its letter.
Space Fight, cheered Aviation Week. Yet this was more than a turf war. At stake was the very purpose of the U.S. space program. Would the nation stay committed to space for peace, the policy of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the outgoing president? Or would the new administration see space as the Air Force did: an arena of the Cold War, a battlefront on which armed conflict might be inevitable? The decision was Kennedys to makethough it would come to depend, as events unfolded, on an astronaut named John Glenn.
To the Air Force top brass, the existence of NASA was an affront. The Space Act of 1958, which created NASA and gave it control over human spaceflight, was a rebuke to every military planner with fantasies of orbital fighter planes or space stations teeming with missiles. At a time when the Soviet Union was achieving one first after anotherthe first satellite, the first animal in orbit, the first unmanned craft to reach the lunar surfaceEisenhower held to his view that space exploration served no national security interest. As a concession, he allowed the Air Force to continue development of the X-20, a high-altitude bomber, but the man-in-space program, Project Mercury , was NASAs domain.
Kennedys election gave the generals cause for hope. If the Soviets control space, he had said during the campaign, they can control earth. In the eyes of the world, he argued, second in space meant second in science and technology, second in military power, second in the struggle between freedom and totalitarian rule. In late 1960, a classified U.S. Information Agency reportwhich caused a stir when it leakedrevealed that Soviet superiority in space was eroding global confidence in the U.S. Satellite pessimism, analysts called it. Pressure was building for a show of strength in space.
And NASA held a weakening hand. The astronauts were popular with the public, but the manned program was well behind schedule and marred by failure. Rockets exploded on the launchpad; payloads ended up in the sea. Rumors circulated that Kennedy would transfer Mercury to the military or cancel it altogethera course that his science adviser, Jerome Wiesner, preferred.
Follow this link:
JFK, John Glenn and the Fight for Space for Peace - The Wall Street Journal
- Space exploration - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2016]
- space exploration | Britannica.com [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Space Exploration News - Space News, Space Exploration ... [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Boy & Girl Scout Space Exploration Merit Badge [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- Articles about Space Exploration - latimes [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- ESA - Space for Kids - Life in Space - Space Exploration [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- Space exploration New World Encyclopedia [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- Space exploration - Wikipedia for Schools [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- Space Exploration - National Archives and Records ... [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- A Brief History of Space Exploration | The Aerospace ... [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- Space Exploration: Crazy Far - Pictures, More From ... [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- Space Exploration - Scientific American [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2016]
- Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO) [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2016]
- European Space Agency - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2016]
- Space Exploration - U.S. Scouting Service Project [Last Updated On: November 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2016]
- Space exploration - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2016]
- 50 Years of Presidential Visions for Space Exploration [Last Updated On: January 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2017]
- Big Oil's Shortsighted Super Bowl Ad Gets Rocket Fuel Wrong - Inverse [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Obama gutted NASA. Here are 3 ways Trump can make space exploration great again - Conservative Review [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- New 'Life' Trailer Brings Terrifying Thrills from Mars (Exclusive) - Space.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- What Everyone Gets Wrong about Black History in the Space Age - Scientific American (blog) [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Space Exploration: Astronauts' Brains Are Changed By Spaceflight, MRI-Based Study Reveals - International Business Times [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Dassault Systemes Plans Space Exploration - I4U News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Cassini Captures Stunning View of Enceladus | Space Exploration ... - Sci-News.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Dassault Systemes sets eyes on space exploration, faster transport - Economic Times [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- TeamIndus launches Moonshot Wheels to inspire Indian rural ... - International Business Times, India Edition [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- NASA Official Highlights Risk of Manned-Spacecraft Efforts - Wall Street Journal [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Cabinet briefed on India-Vietnam Framework Agreement on outer space exploration - Daily News & Analysis [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Belarus invites Iran to cooperate in pharmaceutical industry, space exploration - Belarus News (BelTA) [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- New NASA Leadership Inherits Rejuvenated Space Exploration Program - eNews Park Forest [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- What Will Space Exploration Look Like Under Trump? - Law Street Media (blog) [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Outgoing NASA Team Leaves Its Successors With Robust Options for Space Exploration - Center For American Progress [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Space exploration brought to life for pupils - Norfolk Eastern Daily Press [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Trump's Vision of Space Exploration - The New American [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Mechs and greater space exploration are on the way in Starbound's ... - PCGamesN [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Nuclear Reactors to Power Space Exploration - R & D Magazine [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- NASA spends $2mn on 'advanced life support tech' for deep space travel - RT [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Celebrating Space Exploration - Science NetLinks [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Congress is told, again, that NASA's exploration plans aren't sustainable - Ars Technica [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Space Exploration: Could A Habitable Planet Feature A Habitable Moon? - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Republicans Aim to Prioritize NASA Space Exploration Efforts Over Environmental Research - Independent Journal Review [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Turkmenistan Aims High as It Pledges Space Exploration - EurasiaNet [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- One huge step: Trump's plans to privatize 'low Earth orbit' and send NASA into deep space - Yahoo News [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- How reusable rockets are paving the way for the next phase of space exploration - Mirror.co.uk [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Space Startups Are Booming | Fortune.com - Fortune [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Mass Effect: Andromeda is About Building Meaningful Relationships and Space Exploration - SegmentNext [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Sen. Nelson Talks Space Exploration At Florida A&M University - WFSU [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Space exploration programs must continue - The Eagle [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- NASA selects new technologies for flight tests for future space exploration - Space Daily [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Nuclear reactors to power space exploration - Los Alamos Monitor [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Editorial: Exploring other planets can help us understand our own - Longmont Times-Call [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Why Does NASA Suddenly Want Humans On New Spacecraft's First Flight? - Vocativ [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Should Humans Leave Space Exploration To Robots? - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Space Exploration - WGN Radio [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- EDITORIAL: Jumping at space travel - Indiana Daily Student [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- NASA's focus on using humans in space exploration is myopic at best, apocalyptic at worst! - International Business Times, India Edition [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Guest view: Aliens in Earth's neighborhood? - Irondequoit Post [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Why the 'ultimate wearables' lie in the future of space exploration - Wareable [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Darlington power plant helps fuel NASA's space exploration - CTV News [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Donald Trump Will Call For a Return of Human Space Exploration - Inverse [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- LEGO Announces 'Women of NASA' Set Celebrating Female Pioneers in Space Exploration - Babble (blog) [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- What Donald Trump Said About Space Travel During His Speech - Heavy.com [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Trump's call for human space exploration is hugely wasteful and pointless - Los Angeles Times [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Annexation of Crimea beats space exploration as Russians' proudest moment - StopFake.org [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- What is the fascination with space exploration? - Grand Valley Lanthorn [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Teachers attend space exploration conference, bring back lessons out of this world - Arlington Times [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Reader applauds space exploration pioneers - Fairfaxtimes.com [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Jeff Bezos Expected to Unveil Further Plans for Private Space Exploration - Wall Street Journal (subscription) [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2017]
- Amazon Chief Bezos Expected to Unveil Further Private Space Exploration Plans - Fox Business [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- When We Explore Space, We Go Together - Slate Magazine [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- If India or China Beats the US to Mars, It Will Feel Like a Military Defeat - Slate Magazine [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- Future Tense Newsletter: Space Exploration Isn't Just About Scientific Discovery - Slate Magazine (blog) [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- How Barack Obama ruined NASA space exploration - The Hill (blog) [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- A Trinity professor will play a big role in space exploration - thejournal.ie [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- NASA Funds 133 Projects to Aid Deep Space Exploration - PC Magazine [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- Congress Passes Space Exploration Act, Targets Mars - America Now [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Space Exploration: US congress approves $19.5 billion for NASA to get humans to Mars by 2033 - NTA News [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- Otherworlds reveals visions of the solar system captured by robot spacecraft - ABC Online [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- Exploring space on TV just as challenging - Arizona Daily Sun [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- UBCO professor shortlisted for space exploration - Salmon Arm ... - Salmon Arm Observer [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]