Photos: John F. Kennedy's NASA Legacy

There Will Be a Quiz Later

NASA

Dr. George Mueller gives Saturn V orientation to President John F. Kennedy and officals in Blockhouse 37. Front row, left to right: George Low, Dr. Kurt Debus, Dr. Robert Seamans, James Webb, President Kennedy, Dr. Hugh Dryden, Dr. Wernher von Braun, General Leighten Davis, and Senator George Smathers.

"Why Does Rice Play Texas?"

NASA

President Kennedy speaks before a crowd of 35,000 people at Rice University in the football field. The following are excerpts from his speech. " ... We set sail on his new sea because there is a new knowledge to be gained, and new rights to be won, and they must be won and used for the progress of all people.

... Whether it will become a force for good or ill depends on man, and only if the United States occupies a position of pre-eminence can we help decide whether this new ocean will be a sea of peace or a new terrifying theater of war. But I do say space can be explored and mastered without feeding the fires of war, without repeating the mistakes that man has made with extending his writ around this globe of ours.

...There is no strife, no prejudice, no national conflict in outer space as yet. 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 mountian? Why - 35 years ago - why fly the Atlantic? Why does Rice play Texas? We choose to go to the Moon, 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 in which we intend to win, and the others too."

"I Hope That Survival Gear Isn't Needed."

NASA

Astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr., gives United States President John F. Kennedy a quick run-down on the display of survival gear. The Chief Executive took a quick tour of a dozen NASA displays set up for him after the classified briefing.

President John F. Kennedy and Astronaut John Glenn

NASA

President John F. Kennedy shakes hands with Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. after presenting him with the NASA Distinguished Service Award. Glenn's wife stands behind him.

President John F. Kennedy Visits Kennedy Space Center

NASA/KSC

President John F. Kennedy steps off of Air Force One to tour the Launch Complex 37 facilities.

President Kennedy Arrives at the Cape Canaveral Missile Test Annex Skid Strip

NASA

After arriving at the Cape Canaveral Missile Test Annex Skid Strip on Sept. 11, 1962, President John F. Kennedy is welcomed by a color guard and Center Director Kurt Debus (right).

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