Space Race: Kennedy's Moon Commitment (1961)
by Anonymous
After Gagarin's flight, Kennedy chose the Moon as America's space goal. A space station or Mars were alternatives, but the Moon was achievable within a decade and dramatic enough to win public support.
Moon Landing by End of Decade
1961
year
Lunar surface
target
8.5 years
timeline
Chosen — Apollo 11 succeeded July 1969
outcome
Space Station
1961
year
Earth orbit
target
5 years
timeline
Not dramatic enough to beat Soviets
outcome
Mars Mission
1961
year
Mars surface
target
20+ years
timeline
Not chosen — too ambitious for the timeline
outcome
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