Kennedy & The Space Race

Sputnik 1 Launched

Oct 4, 1957

The Soviets were the first to put an artificial satellite into space in 1957 when they launched Sputnik. There was more symbolism in that little 184 pound satellite than anyone could have imagined. It showed the world that the Soviet Union had the technical power to achieve such an amazing feat, and that the United States lagged behind in science advancements. The launch of Sputnik intensified efforts of the U.S. to engage in a space and missile race. (Logsdon,12)

Sputnik 2 First dog in orbit (Soviet)

Nov 3, 1957

Brinkley (90) argues that Khrushchev considered Laika, a Soviet mixed breed dog that was the first dog in orbit, another victory over the United States. Kennedy felt that President Eisenhower was not prepared for the future and had a 'weak leadership on space technology and science education'.

First Lunar spacecraft Luna 1 (Soviet)

Jan 2, 1959

First Operational ICBM (Soviet Union)

Feb 9, 1959

An ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) is a guided missile used in wartime to guide and deliver nuclear weapons. Brinkley (81) argues that Eisenhower was sluggish to keep up with Russian technology when the Soviets announced they had successfully launched the first missile. JfK did not want Soviet dominance over the U.S. Click here to read about the first ICBM.

First photos of the far side of the moon - Soviet Union

Oct 7, 1959

The Soviets were the first to take photos of the far side of the moon in 1959

First Spy Satellite - United States

Jul 5, 1960

United States launches first successful spy satellite

Animals and Plant in Space

Aug 19, 1960

First animals and plants that returned alive from space. The Soviet Union was the first to try experiments like this during these early years. In 1960 they sent two more dogs, Belka and Strelka. They orbited the Earth and returned alive and unharmed. They also put plants in the rocket with the two dogs. Why do you think the scientists put plants in the rocket?

Kennedy's Inauguration

Jan 20, 1961

Click on this link to hear President Kennedy's inaugural address

Wernher von Braun

Apr 29, 1961

Wernher von Braun lead the way for Germany during WWII with the V2 rocket, he then came to America to aid in U.S. space exploration- click to read more

Alan Shepard

May 5, 1961

Alan Shepard, aboard the Freedom 7, was the first United States human to go into space. Logsdon (103) argues that this mission truly affected Kennedy's decision making process as he continued the push for a lunar landing. Shepard's successful mission led he and the other Mercury Astronauts to a White house celebration where they were greeted by Kennedy and Johnson as well as a parade up Pennsylvania Avenue.

JFK's Speech Arguing for Support of Space Program

May 25, 1961

In Kennedy's address to Congress, he requests funding for further space exploration. Kennedy argues, "First, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth." Click here to listen to the entire speech. Photo Credit https://www.nasa.gov

John Glenn Orbits Earth

Feb 20, 1962

(Photo Cred: https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/JFKPOF/095/JFKPOF-095-023 JFK and John Glenn inspecting the Friendship 7. Glenn was the first American to orbit Earth. Logsdon (160) argues that after Glenn orbited Earth, JFK tried to collaborate with Khrushchev in further space missions and reduce global tensions, to no avail. Click here to see primary documents regarding Glenn's successful orbit.](https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/JFKPOF/095/JFKPOF-095-023)

Kennedy at Rice University, Texas

Sep 12, 1962

Click to listen to President Kennedy's motivating speech where he explains why the U.S. should 'shift efforts from low to high gear' on our efforts in space exploration. Kennedy argues, "We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard."

Cuban Missile Crisis

Oct 16, 1962

While Kennedy made an inspection tour of the NASA space facilities in September of 1962 (Logsdon,142), the world was close to the brink of a missile crisis in Cuba. Dallek (535), explains how Khrushchev strengthened Soviet-Cuban relations by turning Cuba into a missile base that further threatened the United States. Read about the famous 13 days by clicking here

Fly Me to the Moon

Nov 21, 1962

Click to listen to an 11 minute recording detailing the reasons behind NASA and the Apollo program. In this recording James Webb and the President worked together agreeing, yet disagreeing, about the safety of space travel and why JFK thought of this as a top priority. Kennedy, J.F. Miller Center, University of Virginia. Fly Me to the Moon: November 21, 1962.

Kennedy's Assassination

Nov 22, 1963

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas while riding in a motorcade on the way to give a speech. President Kennedy is buried in Arlington National Cemetery where an eternal flame was installed as requested by President Kennedy's wife Jacqueline Kennedy (Perry, 185). Photo credit: https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Monuments-and-Memorials/President-John-F-Kennedy-Gravesite

Johnson Announces Name Change of Space Facilities

Nov 28, 1963

Logsdon (223) argues that after Kennedy's assassination, Lyndon Johnson wanted to continue and honor Kennedy's mission of getting a man on the moon by the end of the decade. Within a week of Kennedy's death, Johnson wrote an executive order to rename the operational launch facilities in Florida to the John F. Kennedy Space Center. He also wished for Cape Canaveral to be renamed Cape Kennedy, however that was changed back to Cape Canaveral (278).

After Kennedy's death

Dec 30, 1963

After Kennedy’s death, he emerged as the father of the space program as the united states launched its first man into orbit and made significant strides towards placing a man on the moon. By the time of Kennedy’s death, Soviet technology didn’t seem as imposing as it had been in 1961 and the tide was turning in America’s favor (Giglio, 307).

Man Lands on the Moon

Jul 20, 1969

President Kennedy's national goal of a man landing on the moon came true on July 20th, 1969 nearly eight years after his pledge. This summer marks the 50th anniversary of this huge feat.
Click here to watch a video of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin placing the American flag on the moon.Photo credit:https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_196.html

Kennedy Space Center

May 1, 2019

Click to see how John F. Kennedy's legacy lives on at the Kennedy Space Center