[MUSIC] I'd like to take a few minutes to discuss what I think is the most inspirational part of President Kennedy's time in office, other than perhaps the rhetoric, and that's the space program. With the Cold War raging, and this really was stimulated by the Cold War. Kennedy began an emphasis on the space program as a way to keep pace with the Soviets. On May 25, 1961, shortly before leaving for Europe, President Kennedy outlined a bold new vision before a joint session of Congress that set the United States on a course to the Moon. In his speech Kennedy called for an ambitious space exploration program that included not just missions to put astronauts on the moon. But also a Rover nuclear rocket, weather satellites, and other space projects. [MUSIC] >> On a whirlwind tour of Florida, President Kennedy visits Cape Canaveral, for a first hand look at the mighty Saturn One missile. This vehicle will carry a 19,000 pound payload into space next month. A payload larger than any the Russians have launched. At take off, it will have a thrust of a million and a half pounds. Again, far ahead of Russian achievements. [MUSIC] Then there's a quick helicopter flight to sea. Where the President will witness a firing of a Polaris underwater missile from the submerged submarine Andrew Jackson. The observation ship is named aptly enough, The Observation Island. [MUSIC] The President's visit is regarded as an effort to focus attention on the nation's space program and speed appropriation bills in Congress. [MUSIC] The President watches with close interest as the Polaris breaks through the surface of the sea and heads down the Atlantic Missile Range. [SOUND] Under his personal flag, the Commander in Chief discusses the technical aspects of the shot. An informal portrait of an ex-Navy man, in action. [MUSIC] >> Now, why did Kennedy focus on landing a man on the Moon? Well, in the wake of Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin's triumphant orbit around the Earth. The President told Congress that the nation should quote, commit itself to achieving. >> Commit itself to achieving a goal before this decade is out of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind or more important for the long range exploration of space. And none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish. >> No one knew until many years later that Kennedy had actually suggested sending US astronauts to Mars instead of the Moon at first. He was talked out of it and that's how the Moon goal was set. Kennedy's larger goal was to show the world that the United States was still the global leader in science. Since developing nations would want to be aligned with the side demonstrating technological superiority. Take a look at this speech by President Kennedy at Rice University. What he says is very important in revealing the spirit of the Kennedy administration in the 1960s. >> 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. Because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills. Because that challenge is one that we're willing to accept. One we are unwilling to postpone. And one we intend to win. >> Kennedy's daring Moon goal probably would have fallen flat if the Soviets hadn't taken the lead in space. But JFK convinced the country that however huge the obstacles, it could land a man on the Moon. 24 hours before he died, Kennedy spoke at the Aerospace Medical Health Center in San Antonio. Where he encouraged his fellow citizens to keep their eyes on the heavens. >> We have a long way to go. Many weeks and months and years of long tedious work lies ahead. There will be setbacks and frustrations and disappointments. There will be as there always are, pressures on this country to do less. In this area as in so many others. And temptations to do something else that's perhaps easier. But this research here must go on. This space effort must go on. The conquest of space must and will go ahead. That much we know. That much we can say with confidence and conviction. >> As we conclude this segment, I think it's worth reflecting a bit on the differences between the 1960s and today. You know when President Kennedy proposed going to the Moon, he had no idea how we'd get there. The, vehicles weren't even designed. They weren't even on the drawing boards. Imagine today if a president announced that we would undertake a multi-billion dollar massive undertaking without any real planning. And stake the nation's reputation on it. The pundits would be all over that president. One can imagine what would happen on cable TV. Back in the 1960s, perhaps because of our experience in World War Two, we believed that anything was possible. That Americans could do anything if they set their minds to it. [SOUND]
