"Why go to the moon?" - John F. Kennedy at Rice University

Summary

In a spirited speech at Rice University, President John F. Kennedy outlines America's ambitious goal to lead the world in space exploration. With a sense of urgency and determination, he declares the nation's intent to land a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth by the end of the decade, not because it is easy, but because it is hard. Kennedy emphasizes the vast potential of space science to advance knowledge, foster peace, and drive progress. He calls upon the nation's brightest minds and resources to achieve this extraordinary feat, underscoring the significance of the decision to accelerate the space program during his presidency.

Takeaways

• 🚀 President Kennedy delivered this speech at Rice University in 1962, emphasizing the importance of space exploration and America's commitment to being the first nation to land a person on the moon.
• 🌍 He highlighted the rapid pace of scientific and technological progress, stating that humans had 'literally reached the stars before midnight tonight' - referring to the recent success of spacecraft reaching Venus.
• 🇺🇸 Kennedy emphasized that America's leadership in science, industry, hopes for peace and security, and obligations to humanity required the country to lead the way in space exploration and become the 'world's leading spacefaring nation'.
• 🌙 He declared that the United States would choose to go to the moon 'not because they are easy, but because they are hard', and that the challenge would 'serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills'.
• 💪 Kennedy acknowledged the significant financial investment required for the space program, stating that the space budget had tripled since January 1961 and was greater than the previous eight years combined.
• 🚀 He outlined the immense technical challenges involved in sending a rocket and astronauts to the moon and safely returning them to Earth, emphasizing the need for new materials, precision engineering, and cutting-edge technology.
• 🏆 Kennedy affirmed that the United States would accomplish this feat 'before the end of this decade', highlighting the nation's determination to lead in space exploration.
• 🌍 He emphasized the importance of space exploration for the progress of all people, stating that it should be a 'sea of peace' rather than a 'terrifying theater of war'.
• 🙏 Kennedy called for God's blessing on the 'most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked', recognizing the spiritual significance of space exploration.
• 🏆 The speech concluded with a benediction, expressing gratitude for American freedoms and the vision of the president, and asking for blessings upon the nation and the world.

Q & A

What was the occasion for this speech?

The speech was given at Rice University in Houston, Texas, to celebrate President John F. Kennedy being made an honorary visiting professor at the university.

What was the main theme of Kennedy's speech?

The main theme of the speech was the United States' commitment to space exploration and the goal of landing a man on the Moon before the end of the 1960s.

What were some of Kennedy's reasons for pursuing the goal of reaching the Moon?

Kennedy cited several reasons for pursuing the goal of reaching the Moon, including the acquisition of new knowledge, demonstrating American leadership in science and technology, promoting peace and security, and organizing the nation's best energies and skills.

How did Kennedy compare the pace of technological progress to human history?

Kennedy condensed 50,000 years of human history into a span of 50 years, emphasizing the rapid pace of technological progress in recent times and stating that the space effort was "one of the great adventures of all time."

What were some of the specific accomplishments in space science that Kennedy highlighted?

Kennedy mentioned several recent accomplishments in space science, including the Mariner spacecraft's journey to Venus, the use of satellite technology for navigation and weather forecasting, and the successful launches of numerous American satellites.

What did Kennedy say about the cost of the space program?

Kennedy acknowledged that the space program was expensive, with the space budget tripling since January 1961 and standing at $5.4 billion per year at the time of the speech. However, he stated that the benefits justified the costs and emphasized the importance of not wasting money while still doing the job.

How did Kennedy describe the technical challenges of reaching the Moon?

Kennedy provided a detailed description of the technical challenges involved in sending a spacecraft to the Moon and back, emphasizing the complexity of the task and the need for new materials, precision engineering, and the ability to withstand extreme heat and stress.

What role did Kennedy envision for Houston and Texas in the space program?

Kennedy stated that Houston, with its Manned Spacecraft Center, would become the heart of a large scientific and engineering community, and that Texas and the surrounding region would share greatly in the growth of space-related industries and employment.

What did Kennedy say about the importance of space exploration for American leadership?

Kennedy emphasized that the United States must pursue space exploration to maintain its position as a leader among nations and to ensure that space is not governed by a "hostile flag of conquest" but rather by a "banner of freedom and peace."

How did Kennedy conclude his speech?

Kennedy concluded his speech with a powerful statement, invoking God's blessing on the "hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked." He also acknowledged the role of Rice University in contributing to the goal of sending a man to the Moon.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 A Historic Perspective on Progress and the Space Challenge

This paragraph introduces a speech by the President, highlighting a ceremonial gathering that includes prominent figures and an audience of distinguished guests and citizens. The President expresses gratitude for being made an honorary professor and promises a brief lecture. The speech sets the stage in a context of rapid scientific advancement and unprecedented knowledge growth, emphasizing the simultaneous expansion of human ignorance. The narrative quickly transitions into a historical overview, comparing human progress over 50,000 years to the last half-century's technological leaps, such as the use of animal skins, the invention of the wheel, the advent of Christianity, the printing press, and recent advancements in penicillin, television, and nuclear power. The President then discusses America's ambition to reach Venus, framing space exploration within the broader context of human curiosity, the pace of technological innovation, and the potential for both new opportunities and challenges.

05:04

🌌 The Unyielding Spirit of Exploration

In the second paragraph, the narrative draws on historical inspiration from William Bradford's reflection on the founding of Plymouth Bay Colony, emphasizing that great achievements are often accompanied by significant challenges. The President asserts the inevitability of space exploration and positions it as a critical endeavor for national leadership and global prestige. The speech articulates a vision of space as a domain of peace and knowledge, rather than conflict and weaponry, urging for American leadership to ensure space's peaceful exploration. The commitment to leading in space science is tied to broader national goals of peace, security, and technological advancement, with a call to action for the nation to embrace the challenges of space exploration as a means to harness new knowledge and opportunities for all humanity.

10:06

🛰️ The New Frontier: Commitment to Space Exploration

This section outlines the President's declaration of space exploration as a critical national priority, referencing recent advancements and setting ambitious goals for the United States. The President recounts the development of powerful rockets and the launch of numerous satellites, highlighting the Mariner spacecraft's journey to Venus as a pinnacle of American ingenuity. Despite acknowledging temporary setbacks in manned spaceflight compared to the Soviet Union, the President vows to overcome these challenges within the decade. He emphasizes the importance of scientific and educational growth, spurred by the space effort, and projects significant economic and employment benefits for the nation, particularly highlighting Houston's central role in the space industry's future development.

15:07

💸 The Economic and Visionary Aspects of Space Exploration

The fourth paragraph addresses the financial aspect of the space program, acknowledging its high costs but contextualizing them against the backdrop of national priorities and consumer spending habits. The President argues for the space program's value as an investment in the future, outlining the technical challenges of sending a manned mission to the moon. He frames this endeavor as an act of boldness and vision, emphasizing the need for perseverance and financial commitment to achieve these ambitious goals within the decade. The President's narrative positions the space program not only as a technological challenge but as a pivotal moment in human history, requiring collective effort and determination to succeed.

20:08

🙏 A Closing Benediction: Unity and Peace Through Space Exploration

The final paragraph transitions to a benediction, invoking a spiritual dimension to the endeavor of space exploration. It expresses gratitude for the freedoms and opportunities afforded by American society and the visionary leadership guiding the nation's space efforts. The prayer calls for protection and guidance for the President and all involved in shaping the nation's destiny, emphasizing the importance of unity, peace, and prosperity in both national and global contexts. The benediction reflects a hopeful outlook on space exploration's potential to foster international cooperation, peace, and a shared sense of purpose among mankind.

Keywords

💡Progress

Progress refers to the advancement and development in various fields such as science, technology, and knowledge. The video emphasizes the remarkable progress that humanity has made over the past 50,000 years, particularly in the realms of science and technology. It highlights the accelerated pace of progress, from early milestones like the invention of the wheel and the development of writing, to more recent achievements like the steam engine, electricity, and nuclear power. The video encourages the audience to embrace progress and not wait or rest, as it is vital for the United States to stay at the forefront of progress and lead the way in the new frontier of space exploration.

💡Space Exploration

Space exploration is the study and exploration of outer space, including the Moon, planets, and other celestial bodies. The video centers around the United States' commitment to space exploration and emphasizes the importance of being a leader in this field. It highlights the country's vow to explore space not for conquest but for the pursuit of knowledge, peace, and freedom. The video also addresses the challenges and risks involved in space exploration, such as the development of advanced technologies and the need for international cooperation. The president's speech aims to inspire and rally support for the nation's space program, positioning space exploration as a crucial endeavor that will shape the future of humanity.

💡Leadership

Leadership refers to the ability to guide, direct, and influence others towards a shared vision or goal. The video emphasizes the importance of the United States taking a leadership role in the realm of space exploration. It suggests that a nation's leadership is not just about being first but also about shaping the direction and purpose of space exploration. The video highlights the country's determination to lead in this field, not just for its own benefit but also for the progress of all people. It stresses that if the United States occupies a position of preeminence, it can help decide whether space exploration will be a force for good or a cause of conflict. The president's speech aims to inspire and rally the nation to take on the challenge of leadership in space exploration.

💡Challenge

Challenge refers to a difficult task or problem that requires great effort and determination to overcome or accomplish. The video acknowledges that space exploration presents numerous challenges, including the development of advanced technologies, overcoming logistical and scientific hurdles, and managing the risks involved. The president's speech emphasizes that the nation is willing to accept these challenges and has no intention of postponing or avoiding them. He states that the United States chooses to go to the Moon 'not because it is easy, but because it is hard.' The video presents space exploration as a challenge that will push the country's resources, skills, and energy to their limits, but one that is necessary to maintain its leadership and progress.

💡Cooperation

Cooperation refers to the act of working together towards a common goal or purpose. The video highlights the importance of cooperation in the realm of space exploration. It suggests that the exploration of space should not be a source of conflict or a means for any nation to establish dominance. Instead, it should be an opportunity for peaceful cooperation among all nations. The president emphasizes that there is no strife or prejudice in outer space yet, and that its conquest deserves the best efforts of all humankind. The video implies that international cooperation in space exploration is essential for maximizing its benefits and ensuring that it serves as a force for peace and progress.

💡Knowledge

Knowledge refers to the information, understanding, and skills acquired through education, research, and experience. The video highlights the pursuit of knowledge as a driving force behind space exploration. It suggests that the exploration of space will lead to new discoveries, techniques, and technologies that will enrich various fields, including science, education, industry, and medicine. The president emphasizes that the United States is embarking on the adventure of space exploration because 'there is new knowledge to be gained.' He also acknowledges that despite the significant progress in scientific knowledge, much remains unknown and unexplored. The video presents space exploration as a means to expand human knowledge and understanding, both about the universe and our own planet.

💡Vision

Vision refers to a clear and compelling conception of a future state or goal. The video praises the president's vision for the nation's space program, describing it as 'lofty' and 'eloquent.' It suggests that a clear vision is necessary to guide and inspire the nation's efforts in space exploration. The president's speech outlines a bold vision of sending a spacecraft to the Moon, overcoming technological and logistical challenges, and returning it safely to Earth. He emphasizes that this vision will require faith and determination, as the ultimate benefits are not yet fully known. The video presents the president's vision as a crucial element in rallying the nation and propelling it towards the frontiers of space exploration.

💡Frontier

Frontier refers to an unexplored or undeveloped region, often used metaphorically to represent new areas of human endeavor or knowledge. The video presents space exploration as the new frontier, following the previous frontiers of the West, industry, and nuclear power. It suggests that just as the United States played a leading role in conquering previous frontiers, it must now take the lead in exploring the frontier of space. The president's speech positions Houston as 'the furthest outpost on the new frontier of science and space,' emphasizing the city's role in the nation's space program. The video implies that conquering this new frontier will bring both challenges and rewards, but it is necessary for the country to maintain its position as a global leader.

💡Faith

Faith refers to a firm belief in something, often without concrete proof or evidence. The video acknowledges that the nation's efforts in space exploration are, to some extent, an act of faith. It suggests that the ultimate benefits and rewards of space exploration are not yet fully known, and that the nation must move forward with a belief in the potential of this endeavor. The president's speech emphasizes that the decision to shift the nation's efforts in space 'from low to high gear' was an important act of faith and vision during his presidency. The video implies that faith in the value and potential of space exploration is necessary to inspire and motivate the nation to overcome the challenges and risks involved.

💡Adventure

Adventure refers to an exciting or remarkable experience or undertaking that involves risk and uncertainty. The video presents space exploration as one of the greatest adventures in human history. It suggests that the exploration of space is a bold and daring endeavor that pushes the boundaries of human knowledge and capabilities. The president's speech describes the mission to the Moon as 'the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked.' The video implies that the spirit of adventure is essential to inspire and motivate the nation to take on the challenges and risks involved in space exploration, with the promise of remarkable discoveries and achievements.

Highlights

We stand in need of all three when we meet in an hour of change and challenge in a decade of hope and fear, in an age of both knowledge and ignorance.

The greater our knowledge increases, the greater our ignorance unfolds.

Condense if you will the 50,000 years of man's recorded history in a time span of but a half a century... the steam engine provided a new source of power, Newton explored the meaning of gravity, last month electric lights and telephones and automobiles and airplanes became available.

Now if America's new spacecraft succeeds in reaching Venus we will have literally reached the Stars before midnight tonight.

William Bradford speaking in 1630 of the founding of the Plymouth Bay Colony said, that all great and honourable actions are accompanied with great difficulty, and both must be enterprised and overcome with answerable courage.

The exploration of space will go ahead whether we join in it or not and it is one of the great adventures of all time and no nation, which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind in this race for space.

We have vowed that we shall not see it governed by a hostile flag of conquest but by a banner of freedom and peace.

Whether it will become a force for good or ill, depends on man and only if the United States occupies a position of preeminence can we help decide whether this new ocean will be a sea of peace or a new terrifying theater of war.

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 are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win.

We have seen the site where five f1 rocket engines each one as powerful as all eight engines of the Saturn combine will be clustered together to make the advanced Saturn missile.

The Mariner spacecraft, the Meredith spacecraft now on its way to Venus is the most intricate instrument in the history of space science. The accuracy of that shot is comparable to firing a missile from Cape Canaveral and dropping it in this stadium between the 40-yard lines.

We do not intend to stay behind and in this decade we shall make up and move ahead.

What was once the furthest outpost on the old frontier of the West will be the furthest outpost on the new frontier of science and space.

Houston, your city of Houston with its manned spacecraft Center will become the heart of a large scientific and engineering community.

Space expenditures will soon rise somewhat, from 40 cents per person per week to more than 50 cents a week for every man, woman and child in the United States.

Transcripts

and now ladies and gentlemen the

President of the United States

[Applause]

president Pizza mr. vice president

governor congressman Thomas senator

Wiley and congressman Miller mr. Webb

Val scientists distinguished guests and

ladies and gentlemen I appreciate your

president having made me an honorary

visiting professor and I will assure you

that my first lecture will be very brief

I am delighted to be here and I'm

particularly delighted to be here on

this occasion we meet at a college noted

for knowledge in a city noted the

progress in a state noted for strength

and we stand in need of all three when

we meet in an hour of change and

challenge in a decade of hope and fear

in an age of both knowledge and

ignorance the greater our knowledge

increases the greater our ignorance

unfolds despite the striking fact that

most of the scientists that the world

has ever known are alive and working

today despite the fact that this

nation's own scientific manpower is

doubling every 12 years in a rate of

growth more than three times that of our

population as a whole

despite that the vast stretches of the

unknown and the unanswered and the

unfinished still far outstrip our

collective comprehension no man can

fully grasp how far and how fast we have

come but condense if you will the 50,000

years of man's recorded history in a

time span of but a half a century stated

in these terms we know very little about

the first 40 years except at the end of

them advanced man had learned to use the

skins of animals to cover them then

about 10 years

go under this standard man emerged from

his caves to construct other kinds of

Sheldon only five years ago

man learned to write and use a cart with

wheels Christianity began less than two

years ago the printing press came this

year and then less than two months ago

during this whole 50-year span of human

history the steam engine provided a new

source of power

Newton explored the meaning of gravity

last lunch electric lights and

telephones and automobiles and airplanes

became available only last week did we

develop penicillin and television and

nuclear power and now if America's new

spacecraft succeeds in reaching Venus we

will have literally reached the Stars

before midnight tonight this is a

breathtaking pace and such a pace cannot

help but create new wails as it dispels

old new ignorance new problems new

dangers surely the opening vistas of

space promise high costs and hardships

as well as high reward so it is not

surprising that some would have us stay

where we are a little longer to rest to

wait but this city of Houston this state

of Texas this country of the United

States was not built by those who waited

and rested and wish to look behind them

[Applause]

this country was conquered by those who

move forward and so will space

William Bradford speaking in 1630 of the

founding of the Plymouth Bay Colony said

that all great and honourable actions

are accompanied with great difficulty

and both must be enterprise and overcome

with answerable courage if this capsule

history of our progress teaches us

anything it is that man and his quest

for knowledge and progress is determined

and cannot be deterred the exploration

of space will go ahead whether we join

in it or not and it is one of the great

adventures of all time and no nation

which expects to be the leader of other

nations can expect to stay behind in

this race for space those who came

before us made certain that this country

rode the first waves of the Industrial

Revolution the first waves of modern

invention and the first wave of nuclear

power and this generation does not

intend to founder in the backwash of the

coming age of space we mean to be a part

of it we mean to lead it

[Applause]

for the eyes of the world now look into

space to the moon and to the planets

beyond and we have vowed that we shall

not see it governed by a hostile flag of

conquest but by a banner of freedom and

peace we evolved that we shall not see

space filled with weapons of mass

destruction but with instruments of

knowledge and understanding yet the vows

of this nation can only be fulfilled if

we in this nation are first and

therefore we intend to be first

[Applause]

in short our leadership in science and

industry our hopes for peace and

security our obligations to ourselves as

well as others all require us to make

this effort to solve these mysteries to

solve them for the good of all men and

to become the world's leading

spacefaring nation we set sail on this

new sea because there is new knowledge

to be gained and new rights to be won

and they must be won and used for the

progress of all people for space science

like nuclear science and all technology

has no conscience of its own whether it

will become a force for good or ill

depends on man and only if the United

States occupies a position of

preeminence can we help decide whether

this new ocean will be a sea of peace or

a new terrifying theater of war I do not

say that we should or will go

unprotected against the hostile misuse

of space any more than we go unprotected

against the hostile use of land or sea

but I do say that space can be explored

and mastered without feeding the fires

of war without repeating the mistakes

that man is made and extending his writ

around this globe of ours

there is no strife no prejudice no

national conflict in outer space as yet

its hazards a hostile to us all its

conquest deserves the best of all

mankind and its opportunity for peaceful

cooperation may never come again but why

some say the moon why choose this as our

goal and they may well ask why climb the

highest mountain why 35 years ago fly

the Atlantic why does Rice play Texas we

choose to go to the moon we choose to go

to the moon

[Applause]

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 are willing to

accept one we are unwilling to postpone

and one we intend to win and the others

too it is for these reasons that I

regard the decision last year to shift

our efforts in space from low to high

gear as among the most important

decision that will be made during my

incumbency in the office of the

presidency in the last 24 hours we have

seen facilities now being created for

the greatest and most complex

exploration in man's history we have

felt the ground shake and the air

shattered by the testing of a Saturn c1

booster rocket many times as powerful as

the Atlas which launched John glamour

generating power equivalent to 10,000

automobiles with their accelerator on

the floor we have seen the site where

five f1 rocket engines each one as

powerful as all eight engines of the

Saturn combine will be clustered

together to make the advanced Saturn

missile assembled in a new building to

be built at Cape Canaveral as tall as a

48 story structure as wide as a city

block and as long as two lengths of this

field within these last 19 months at

least 45 satellites have circled the

earth some 40 of them were made in the

United States of America and they were

far more sophisticated and supplied far

more knowledge to the people of the

world than those of the Soviet Union

the Mariner spacecraft

the Meredith spacecraft now on its way

to Venus is the most intricate

instrument in the history of space

science the accuracy of that shot is

comparable to firing a missile from Cape

Canaveral and dropping it in this

stadium between the 40-yard lines

transit satellites are helping our ships

at sea to steer a safer course tyrus

satellites have given us unprecedented

warnings of hurricanes and storms and

will do the same for forest fires and

icebergs

we have had off there yet but so of

others even if they do not admit them

and they may be less public to be sure

[Applause]

you'll be sure we are behind and we'll

be behind for some time in man flight

but we do not intend to stay behind and

in this decade we shall make up and move

ahead

[Applause]

the growth of our science and education

will be enriched by new knowledge of our

universe and environment by new

techniques of learning and mapping and

observation by new tools and computers

for industry medicine in the whole as

well as the school technical

institutions such as rice will reap the

harvest of these games and finally the

space effort itself while still in its

infancy has already created a great

number of new companies and tens and

thousands of new jobs space and related

industries are generating new demands in

investment and skilled personnel and

this city and this state and this region

will share greatly in this growth what

was once the furthest outpost on the old

frontier of the West will be the

furthest outpost on the new frontier of

science and space Houston

your city of Houston with its manned

spacecraft Center will become the heart

of a large scientific and engineering

community during the next five years the

National Aeronautics and Space

Administration expects to double the

number of scientists and engineers in

this area to increase its outlays for

salaries and expenses to sixty million

dollars a year to invest some 200

million dollars in plan and laboratory

facilities and to direct or contract for

new space efforts over 1 billion dollars

from this Center in this city to be sure

all this costs us all a good deal of

money

this year's space budget is three times

what it was in January 1961 and it is

greater than the space budget of the

previous eight years combined that

budget now stands at five billion four

hundred million dollars a year a

staggering sum though somewhat less than

we pay for cigarettes and cigars every

year space expenditures

[Applause]

space expenditures will soon rise Samoa

from 40 cents per person for a week to

more than 50 cents a week for every man

woman and child in the United States for

we have given this program a high

national priority even though I realized

that this is in some measure an act of

faith and vision for we do not now know

what benefits await us but if I were to

say my fellow citizens that we shall

send to the moon 240,000 miles away from

the control station in Houston a giant

rocket more than 300 feet tall the

length of this football field made of

new metal alloys some of which have not

yet been invented capable of standing

heat and stresses several times more

than have ever been experienced fitted

together with a precision better than

the finest watch carrying all the

equipment needed for propulsion guidance

control communications food and survival

on an untried mission to an unknown

celestial body and then return it safely

to earth re-entering the atmosphere at

speeds of over 25,000 miles per hour

causing heat about half that on the

temperature of the Sun almost as hot as

it is here today and do all this and do

all this and do it right and do it first

before this dictators out then we must

be bold

I'm the one who's doing all the work so

we get points to stay cool for a minute

however I think we're going to do it and

I think that we must pay what needs to

be paid I don't think we ought to waste

any money but I think we ought to do the

job and this will be done in the decade

of the 6th it may be done while some of

you are still here at school at this

college and university it will be done

during the terms of office of some of

the people who sit here on this platform

but it will be done and it will be done

before the end of this decade and I am

delighted that this university is

playing a part in putting a man on the

moon as part of a great national effort

of the United States of America

many years ago the Great British

explorer George Mallory who was to die

on Mount Everest was asked why did he

want to climb it he said because it is

there well space is there and we're

going to climb it and the moon and the

planets are there and New Hope's for

knowledge and peace avail and therefore

as we set sail we ask God's blessing on

the most hazardous and dangerous and

greatest adventure on which man has ever

embarked thank you

[Applause]

please remain standing God of all space

who has set the stars in their courses

and who does also dwell in the human

heart god of the lightyears infinite

beyond infinity who does also give

meaning to our brief years to the return

for thy benediction we give thee thanks

O God for the rights with which thou

hast endowed us for the freedoms which

Americans have secured and cherished and

shared for the love of truth and the

dreams of adventure which propel

pioneers out into space we are grateful

for the lofty vision of our president

for the intelligence and the eloquence

which give wings to his words guide and

protect him o father and all who are

entrusted with the destiny of this great

nation may thy blessing rest upon us all

bless us in our homes in our schools in

our laboratories our farms our factories

our space capsules prosper us in our

cities and our states make our country a

worthy leader of the free world and

grant the blessings of peace all mankind

army

[Applause]

[Music]

you