4. Document Title: Message to Chairman Khrushchev Proposing Joint Action in the Exploration of Outer Space, March 18, 1962
Background:
By putting the first satellite and the first man into orbit around the Earth, the Soviet Union jumped to an early lead in Space Exploration. With its military implications, the U.S. raced to catch up.1 In May 1961, JFK dedicated the U.S. to landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth by the end of the decade. In February, 1962 John Glenn’s orbits showed that the U.S. was indeed catching up. Many questioned the huge expense of the program. In this personal letter, Kennedy invites Khrushchev to share in the costs and benefits of space.2
1.Giglio, James N. The Presidency of John F. Kennedy. Lawrence, Kan.: University Press of Kansas, 1991,153-155.
2. Dallek, Robert. An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963. Boston: Little, Brown, and Co, 2003,501-502, 652-653.
Guiding Questions
Link to Full Text- http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=9111
Background:
By putting the first satellite and the first man into orbit around the Earth, the Soviet Union jumped to an early lead in Space Exploration. With its military implications, the U.S. raced to catch up.1 In May 1961, JFK dedicated the U.S. to landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth by the end of the decade. In February, 1962 John Glenn’s orbits showed that the U.S. was indeed catching up. Many questioned the huge expense of the program. In this personal letter, Kennedy invites Khrushchev to share in the costs and benefits of space.2
1.Giglio, James N. The Presidency of John F. Kennedy. Lawrence, Kan.: University Press of Kansas, 1991,153-155.
2. Dallek, Robert. An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963. Boston: Little, Brown, and Co, 2003,501-502, 652-653.
Guiding Questions
- Does JFK seem sincere in inviting Khrushhchev to involve the Soviet Union in cooperating with the United States in space exploration? Why or why not?
- What specific space projects does JFK identify as areas for cooperation?
- How would cooperation be mutually beneficial for the U.S. and U.S.S.R?
- What is JFK’s best argument for cooperation?
- How and when does he suggest that cooperation in space exploration might begin?
Link to Full Text- http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=9111
Edited Text
4. Message to Chairman Khrushchev Proposing Joint Action in the Exploration of Outer Space , March 18, 1962
Dear Mr. Chairman:
On February twenty-second last I wrote you that I was instructing appropriate officers of this Government to prepare concrete proposals for immediate projects of common action in the exploration of space.1 I now present such proposals to you.
The exploration of space is a broad and varied activity and the possibilities for cooperation are many. In suggesting the possible first steps which are set out below, I do not intend to limit our mutual consideration of desirable cooperative activities. On the contrary, I will welcome your concrete suggestions along these or other lines.
1. Perhaps we could render no greater service to mankind through our space programs than by the joint establishment of an early operational weather satellite system. Such a system would be designed to provide global weather data for prompt use by any nation…
2. It would be of great interest to those responsible for the conduct of our respective space programs if they could obtain operational tracking services from each other's territories. Accordingly, I propose that each of our countries establish and operate a radio tracking station to provide tracking services to the other, utilizing equipment which we would each provide to the other…
3. In the field of the earth sciences, the precise character of the earth's magnetic field is central to many scientific problems. I propose therefore that we cooperate in mapping the earth's magnetic field in space by utilizing two satellites, one in a near-earth orbit and the second in a more distant orbit. The United States would launch one of these satellites while the Soviet Union would launch the other…
4. In the field of experimental communications by satellite, the United States has already undertaken arrangements to test and demonstrate the feasibility of intercontinental transmissions. A number of countries are constructing equipment suitable for participation in such testing. I would welcome the Soviet Union's joining in this cooperative effort which will be a step toward meeting the objective, contained in United Nations General Assembly Resolution (XVI), that communications by means of satellites should be available to the nations of the world as soon as practicable on a global and non-discriminatory basis…
5. Given our common interest in manned space flights and in insuring man's ability to survive in space and return safely, I propose that we pool our efforts and exchange our knowledge in the field of space medicine, where future research can be pursued in cooperation with scientists from various countries.
Beyond these specific projects we are prepared now to discuss broader cooperation in the still more challenging projects which must be undertaken in the exploration of outer space. The tasks are so challenging, the costs so great, and the risks to the brave men who engage in space exploration so grave, that we must in all good conscience try every possibility of sharing these tasks and costs and of minimizing these risks…
I am designating technical representatives who will be prepared to meet and discuss with your representatives our ideas and yours in a spirit of practical cooperation. In order to accomplish this at an early date, I suggest that the representatives of our two countries who will be coming to New York to take part in the United Nations Outer Space Committee meet privately to discuss the proposals set forth in this letter.
Sincerely,
JOHN F. KENNEDY
[His Excellency, Nikita S. Khrushchev, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Moscow.]
Citation: John F. Kennedy: "Message to Chairman Khrushchev Proposing Joint Action in the Exploration of Outer Space," March 18, 1962. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=9111
4. Message to Chairman Khrushchev Proposing Joint Action in the Exploration of Outer Space , March 18, 1962
Dear Mr. Chairman:
On February twenty-second last I wrote you that I was instructing appropriate officers of this Government to prepare concrete proposals for immediate projects of common action in the exploration of space.1 I now present such proposals to you.
The exploration of space is a broad and varied activity and the possibilities for cooperation are many. In suggesting the possible first steps which are set out below, I do not intend to limit our mutual consideration of desirable cooperative activities. On the contrary, I will welcome your concrete suggestions along these or other lines.
1. Perhaps we could render no greater service to mankind through our space programs than by the joint establishment of an early operational weather satellite system. Such a system would be designed to provide global weather data for prompt use by any nation…
2. It would be of great interest to those responsible for the conduct of our respective space programs if they could obtain operational tracking services from each other's territories. Accordingly, I propose that each of our countries establish and operate a radio tracking station to provide tracking services to the other, utilizing equipment which we would each provide to the other…
3. In the field of the earth sciences, the precise character of the earth's magnetic field is central to many scientific problems. I propose therefore that we cooperate in mapping the earth's magnetic field in space by utilizing two satellites, one in a near-earth orbit and the second in a more distant orbit. The United States would launch one of these satellites while the Soviet Union would launch the other…
4. In the field of experimental communications by satellite, the United States has already undertaken arrangements to test and demonstrate the feasibility of intercontinental transmissions. A number of countries are constructing equipment suitable for participation in such testing. I would welcome the Soviet Union's joining in this cooperative effort which will be a step toward meeting the objective, contained in United Nations General Assembly Resolution (XVI), that communications by means of satellites should be available to the nations of the world as soon as practicable on a global and non-discriminatory basis…
5. Given our common interest in manned space flights and in insuring man's ability to survive in space and return safely, I propose that we pool our efforts and exchange our knowledge in the field of space medicine, where future research can be pursued in cooperation with scientists from various countries.
Beyond these specific projects we are prepared now to discuss broader cooperation in the still more challenging projects which must be undertaken in the exploration of outer space. The tasks are so challenging, the costs so great, and the risks to the brave men who engage in space exploration so grave, that we must in all good conscience try every possibility of sharing these tasks and costs and of minimizing these risks…
I am designating technical representatives who will be prepared to meet and discuss with your representatives our ideas and yours in a spirit of practical cooperation. In order to accomplish this at an early date, I suggest that the representatives of our two countries who will be coming to New York to take part in the United Nations Outer Space Committee meet privately to discuss the proposals set forth in this letter.
Sincerely,
JOHN F. KENNEDY
[His Excellency, Nikita S. Khrushchev, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Moscow.]
Citation: John F. Kennedy: "Message to Chairman Khrushchev Proposing Joint Action in the Exploration of Outer Space," March 18, 1962. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=9111