Globalization
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
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BEING A JUNIOR HISTORIAN…
Investigating the Space Race
Vice President Johnson Assigned the Task of Unifying the U.S. Satellite Programs
June 24, 1961
If you look up into the sky on a clear night, you might see among the sparkling stars and
planets an object that is moving slowly across the dark sky. That little light is no star; it's a
satellite orbiting the earth. There are many out there, thanks in part
to the efforts of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson.
The launch of Sputnik by the USSR on October 4, 1957, was a
complete surprise to the USA since all launches done by the Soviet
Union were done in secret.. It appeared as a faint star crossing the
night sky west to east. This was a huge blow to Americans because
a communist country had beaten them into space. This put the
space race into high gear as the US and USSR began to build
bigger and better launch vehicles. The winner was the first nation to
place a person on the moon.
On June 24, 1961, the public learned of President Kennedy's letter
assigning Vice President Johnson the high-priority task of unifying
the United States satellite programs. After the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the world's
first artificial satellite, in 1957, the U.S. space program skyrocketed. But the program was
plagued with rivalries between competing government agencies and expanding costs. It
needed strong leadership.
Under Vice President Johnson, the National Space Council recommended that National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) provide policy coordination with all
government agencies involved in space flight. NASA established its command and control
center, the Manned Spacecraft Center (now known as the Johnson Space Center), in
Houston, in Johnson's home state of Texas.
The U.S. space program had two main goals: one, develop a system of unmanned satellites
that would orbit the earth and provide global telecommunications; and two, pursue manned
and unmanned space exploration. Working toward both goals, NASA truly launched the
U.S. into the space age.
NISD Elementary Social Studies
Globalization SP 5a
Globalization
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The first U.S. earth satellite, Explorer I, was launched from Cape Canaveral in 1958 which
was named the Kennedy Space Center in 1962. The 1965
satellite, Early Bird, had the capacity to provide a two-way
television link between the U.S. and Europe.
NASA's Mercury Program made rapid progress in meeting its
second goal by sending its first manned missions into space in its
first year, 1961. By the summer of 1969, Americans walked on the
moon.
Now, satellites provide us with phone and computer
communication, radio and television broadcast, accurate mapping,
weather information, and so much more.
~ From America’s Story, Library of Congress
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/
YOUR TASK:
Read the 2 letters on the next pages. Both letters are to President Kennedy about the space
program. One of the letters is from Vice President Johnson and the other is from an eighth
grade student. Both of the authors discuss their opinion about the benefits of the space
program. Then go to the following NASA website – NASA @ Home and City
http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/nasacity/index2.htm
Think about how you would answer a question about the benefits of the space program.
Draft an email, a letter, or a flyer that discusses the benefits of the program.
THE BIG QUESTIONS:
• How did the discoveries and innovations that occurred during the space program
benefit society?
Remember to consider these aspects:
1. Technological Advances
• What technologies that we use today are a result of the space program?
2. Economics
• How did the space industry create jobs?
• What goods and services that we use today are results of the space program?
NISD Elementary Social Studies
Globalization SP 5a
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Exhibit One –
Memo from Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson to President John F. Kennedy, July 31, 1963
John F. Kennedy Library, NARA, Boston, MA
NISD Elementary Social Studies
Globalization SP 5a
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Exhibit Two
Letter from an eighth grade student to President
John F. Kennedy, January 19, 1962
I think it is all just a waste of time and money when many
talents could be put to use in many ways such as making
our world a better place to live in. We really don’t need
space vehicles. I think our country should try to look out
for the welfare of its people.
At school they tell us that we study science so that we can
make our world a better place to live in. But I don’t think
we need outer space travel to prove or further the
development of this idea.
John F. Kennedy Library, NARA, Boston, MA
NISD Elementary Social Studies
Globalization SP 5a