example of the propagandistic use of the media to influence public opinion. Instead
of explaining why the US should build a Moon base, the columnist stressed the
danger that another country could do so in secret and then suddenly attack America.
Collier’s was followed by a wide audience, so it had considerable influence on
public opinion.
Additionally, science fiction, which was increasingly popular at that time,
proved to be very beneficial for the lunar agenda. Again, Collier’s published
another article Flight into the Future
10
by Robert Heinlein
11
- the famous author of
science fiction masterpieces such as The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress or Starship
Troopers – in which he explained how to place atomic weapons into orbit to
increase the power of nuclear deterrence. Heinlein again used this storytelling in
his book Space Cadet and also for the screenplay of the blockbuster movie
Destination Moon, in which one of the actors frequently repeated, “there is no
way to stop an attack from space. The first country that can use the Moon to
launch missiles will control the Earth. This, gentlemen, shall be the most important military achievement of this century”.
In 1956, Air Force Gen. Thomas Power, head of the Research and Development
Command, established the Missile & Space Vehicle Working Group to study operative missions for the Pentagon.
12
Just three months after Sputnik’s launch, he
presented the first results and a series of possible space initiatives, which included
an inhabited Moon base to be built in five years. Twelve months later, the US
funded the secret Program 499 to study a lunar outpost.
13
At the time, NASA did not yet exist. Sen. Lyndon Johnson seized the opportunity to propose to Congress the creation of a civil governmental agency dedicated
to space exploration not publicly linked to the Pentagon, and set up a special committee
14
to elaborate on this new agency. The scientist Edward Teller, reputed as
the father of the atomic bomb, testified before the committee that he was sure that
men would have gone to the Moon not only for scientific reasons, but above all,
for military advantage. Johnson said Teller’s words laid out “the way to go”.
15
At the same time, some Air Force officials started publicly talking about a
Moon base. In 1958, Gen. Homer A. Boushey gave a speech at the Washington,
DC Aero Club in which he declared:
10
Heinlein, Robert A. 1947. Flight into the Future. Collier’s.
11
https://biografieonline.it/biografia-robert-a-heinlein.
12
Neufeld, Jacob. 1990. The Development of Ballistic Missiles in the United States Air Force
1945–1960. Washington DC: Office of the US Air Force History.
13
idem
14
Young, Hugo, Bryan Silcock, and Peter Dunn. 1969. Journey to Tranquillity. Singapore:
Times Ltd Publishing.
15
idem
The Space Race: Moondust 17
of explaining why the US should build a Moon base, the columnist stressed the
danger that another country could do so in secret and then suddenly attack America.
Collier’s was followed by a wide audience, so it had considerable influence on
public opinion.
Additionally, science fiction, which was increasingly popular at that time,
proved to be very beneficial for the lunar agenda. Again, Collier’s published
another article Flight into the Future
10
by Robert Heinlein
11
- the famous author of
science fiction masterpieces such as The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress or Starship
Troopers – in which he explained how to place atomic weapons into orbit to
increase the power of nuclear deterrence. Heinlein again used this storytelling in
his book Space Cadet and also for the screenplay of the blockbuster movie
Destination Moon, in which one of the actors frequently repeated, “there is no
way to stop an attack from space. The first country that can use the Moon to
launch missiles will control the Earth. This, gentlemen, shall be the most important military achievement of this century”.
In 1956, Air Force Gen. Thomas Power, head of the Research and Development
Command, established the Missile & Space Vehicle Working Group to study operative missions for the Pentagon.
12
Just three months after Sputnik’s launch, he
presented the first results and a series of possible space initiatives, which included
an inhabited Moon base to be built in five years. Twelve months later, the US
funded the secret Program 499 to study a lunar outpost.
13
At the time, NASA did not yet exist. Sen. Lyndon Johnson seized the opportunity to propose to Congress the creation of a civil governmental agency dedicated
to space exploration not publicly linked to the Pentagon, and set up a special committee
14
to elaborate on this new agency. The scientist Edward Teller, reputed as
the father of the atomic bomb, testified before the committee that he was sure that
men would have gone to the Moon not only for scientific reasons, but above all,
for military advantage. Johnson said Teller’s words laid out “the way to go”.
15
At the same time, some Air Force officials started publicly talking about a
Moon base. In 1958, Gen. Homer A. Boushey gave a speech at the Washington,
DC Aero Club in which he declared:
10
Heinlein, Robert A. 1947. Flight into the Future. Collier’s.
11
https://biografieonline.it/biografia-robert-a-heinlein.
12
Neufeld, Jacob. 1990. The Development of Ballistic Missiles in the United States Air Force
1945–1960. Washington DC: Office of the US Air Force History.
13
idem
14
Young, Hugo, Bryan Silcock, and Peter Dunn. 1969. Journey to Tranquillity. Singapore:
Times Ltd Publishing.
15
idem
The Space Race: Moondust 17