The American Vision: Modern Times © 2008

"Space Case"

Introduction
In 1961 President Kennedy asked for Americans' commitment to "landing a man on the moon" before the end of the decade. Kennedy's challenge would require an army of scientists, academics, and engineers working around the clock to successfully complete the mission. The goal was met on July 20, 1969, when Astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human to step on the moon. Explore various web sites to learn why Kennedy asked for the moon and how NASA delivered on its promise.

Sample web sites:
National Air and Space Museum -- http://www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/attm/attm.html
NASA -- http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/history/apollo/index.html
Apollo anniversary -- http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/apollo11/index1.html
Lunar Surface Journal -- http://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a11/a11.html

Note: Clicking on the links above will launch new browser windows.
Need help using your browser for this activity? Click here for tips.

After you have read through the information, answer the following questions.

1			How did Kennedy use the cold war to win support for his moon landing challenge?
2			Characterize the United States's commitment to the lunar landing mission.
3			Describe the projects that paved the way for a moon landing.
4			Explain why attitudes toward space exploration changed after the Apollo program.
5			Kennedy did not live to witness a moon landing, nor did he envision the possibility of a Russian and American space collaborative. Imagine that you are able to travel back in time to the moments just following President Kennedy's historic moon landing speech to Congress. On a separate sheet of paper, write a dialogue in which you inform President Kennedy of some of the future achievements of the space program. Conclusion The Apollo space program was an ambitious goal that revolutionized space exploration.The program was an enormous investment by the government with major political implications, as well. Why do you think it might be important to set ambitious goals foryourself and for your nation?