9781422281420

The Apollo Program accomplished something really special. Inspired by a president and spurred by competition with the Soviets, NASA built a space program that The Apollo program was aimed at one goal: the Moon. In an amazingly short time, that goal was reached. Apollo astronauts were chosen to continue the work of Gemini. Each Apollo flight was part of an extended practice run for the trip to the Moon itself. There were problems along the way, but the nation accept- ed the losses with an eye toward the gain.

Kennedy’s Call ▲ In May 1961, President John F. Kennedy gave a speech in Houston that changed the entire nature of the space race. In a historic call to action, Kennedy pledged that the United States would have a goal of sending men to the Moon and returning them safe- ly: within the decade. Many thought it was impossible to achieve. In fact, his call gave NASA and others a clear road to success. The space program experts knew their pres- ident was behind them. Though Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, his dream lived on.

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