An opportunity to launch the first artificial satellite for civil purposes arose
when the international scientific community called for the International
Geophysical Year to study the high atmosphere by using new technologies of the
20
th
century. That event became the ideal opportunity for sending a satellite into
space, masking both rivals’ strategic motivations with the international prestige of
a scientific initiative. Both the President Eisenhower and Nikita Khrushchev,
Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party, knew that satellites could shape the fate
of the Cold War.
The US President did not like the idea that the first American satellite could go
into orbit on a modified ICBM,
6
as he believed that by doing this, public opinion
would criticize the American approach to space exploration. He also wanted to
avoid possible Russian allegations before the U.N. General Assembly about using
a military rocket as an intimidating act.
The Soviets did not share these reservations. They built a space launcher by
adding an upper stage to their ICBM’s and simply loaded on Sputnik instead of an
atomic bomb.
The Soviets won another major first when four years later, in 1961, they
launched military pilot Yuri Gagarin into orbit. Once again, the US and its allies
were thrust into panic. Watching televised celebrations at the Red Square in
Moscow, the US believed it was clear that Russia was winning the Space Race. In
response, the White House put a highly demanding and ambitious space program
on the political agenda, which if accomplished would renew the sense of patriotism in Americans, impress its allies and intimidate the Soviets.
The destination for that program could only be the Moon.
President John Kennedy asked Congress to finance the Apollo
7
lunar program
just a few days after Gagarin’s flight, driven by the urgent political need to reaffirm the nation’s prestige. US politicians and generals believed that in order to
lead on Earth, they needed a base on the Moon. In military jargon this became
known as the “Higher Ground” – that is, the highest hill from which to unleash a
final act of retaliation.
The concept of a lunar base dates back to 1948, when the famous magazine
Collier’s published an article by Robert S. Richardson titled Rocket Blitz from the
Moon.
8
The story, beautifully illustrated by the great artist Chesley Bonestell, who
was popular for his futuristic paintings of extraterrestrial landscapes,
9
was a clear
6
Medaris, John. 1960. Countdown for Decision. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons.
7
http://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset-Viewer/xzw1gaeeTES6khED14P1Iw.aspx.
8
Collier’s October 23, 1948. Complete magazine on http://www.amazon.com/ColliersOctober-Moon-Rockets-Bonestell-Pianos/dp/B00UQUFQAS.
9
Ley, Willy, and Chesley Bonestell. 1950. The Conquest of Space. London: Sigwid & Jackson Ltd.
16 The Space Race: Moondust
when the international scientific community called for the International
Geophysical Year to study the high atmosphere by using new technologies of the
20
th
century. That event became the ideal opportunity for sending a satellite into
space, masking both rivals’ strategic motivations with the international prestige of
a scientific initiative. Both the President Eisenhower and Nikita Khrushchev,
Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party, knew that satellites could shape the fate
of the Cold War.
The US President did not like the idea that the first American satellite could go
into orbit on a modified ICBM,
6
as he believed that by doing this, public opinion
would criticize the American approach to space exploration. He also wanted to
avoid possible Russian allegations before the U.N. General Assembly about using
a military rocket as an intimidating act.
The Soviets did not share these reservations. They built a space launcher by
adding an upper stage to their ICBM’s and simply loaded on Sputnik instead of an
atomic bomb.
The Soviets won another major first when four years later, in 1961, they
launched military pilot Yuri Gagarin into orbit. Once again, the US and its allies
were thrust into panic. Watching televised celebrations at the Red Square in
Moscow, the US believed it was clear that Russia was winning the Space Race. In
response, the White House put a highly demanding and ambitious space program
on the political agenda, which if accomplished would renew the sense of patriotism in Americans, impress its allies and intimidate the Soviets.
The destination for that program could only be the Moon.
President John Kennedy asked Congress to finance the Apollo
7
lunar program
just a few days after Gagarin’s flight, driven by the urgent political need to reaffirm the nation’s prestige. US politicians and generals believed that in order to
lead on Earth, they needed a base on the Moon. In military jargon this became
known as the “Higher Ground” – that is, the highest hill from which to unleash a
final act of retaliation.
The concept of a lunar base dates back to 1948, when the famous magazine
Collier’s published an article by Robert S. Richardson titled Rocket Blitz from the
Moon.
8
The story, beautifully illustrated by the great artist Chesley Bonestell, who
was popular for his futuristic paintings of extraterrestrial landscapes,
9
was a clear
6
Medaris, John. 1960. Countdown for Decision. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons.
7
http://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset-Viewer/xzw1gaeeTES6khED14P1Iw.aspx.
8
Collier’s October 23, 1948. Complete magazine on http://www.amazon.com/ColliersOctober-Moon-Rockets-Bonestell-Pianos/dp/B00UQUFQAS.
9
Ley, Willy, and Chesley Bonestell. 1950. The Conquest of Space. London: Sigwid & Jackson Ltd.
16 The Space Race: Moondust