Blast Off to Space!!!

by

Mrs. Masters

President Kennedy speaks to the nation about the space program.

• In May 1961 President John F. Kennedy committed the United States to landing a manned spacecraft on the Moon “before this decade is out.” The name given to the program was Apollo.

• Kennedy wants to show that America can defeat the Soviet Union in the space race. Both countries are sworn enemies fighting the Cold War, which will last for decades. Between 1963 and 1965, the Soviets launch the first woman and the first three-man crew, and do the first space walk. But the U.S. remains confident it can meet Kennedy's challenge.

Click here to view the launch of Apollo

11.

Click here to view Apollo 11 launching for its mission to the moon.

Apollo 11 is launched.

• The Apollo 11 spacecraft was launched from Cape Kennedy at 13:32:00 UT on July 16, 1969. After 2 hr and 33 min in Earth orbit, the S-IVB engine was reignited for acceleration of the spacecraft to the velocity required for Earth gravity escape.

Click to watch the first man on the moon

take his first step.

First Man on the Moon

• It is 9:30 p.m. Houston time on July 20, 1969. Armstrong and Aldrin put on their bulky moon suits and prepare to take the first steps on the moon.

Armstrong is the first to wriggle out of a square hole in the Eagle. Once outside, he lowers a small drawbridge that holds a TV camera. Now the world can watch as he backs down the ladder.