Kennedy Space Center Story

John F. Kennedy had been President of the United States 16 days when three men met in a small office on Cape Kennedy to discuss new concepts for launching heavy space vehicles. They were Dr. Kurt H. Debus, Theodor A. Poppel and Georg von Tiesenhausen . Each had spent 25 years in rocketry . Dr. Debus asked his colleagues to study new launch sites for rockets capable of generating 22 to 44 million newtons (5,000,000 to 10,000,000 pounds) thrust. No such rocket existed . The most powerful U.S. rocket then available produced 4.5 million new tons ( 1,000,000 pounds) thrust. Three years earlier the team launched America's first satellite with a rocket that developed 387,000 newtons (87,000 pounds) thrust. At the time of their meeting, they were preparing to launch the first U.S. astronauts aboard small Redstone rockets and later the Atlas vehicles of 1.7 million newtons (388,000 pounds) thrust. Having received Dr. von Braun's endorsement, Dr. Debus carried his proposals to Washington for presentation to Dr. Robert C. Seamans, the late Dr. Hugh Dryden and other senior NASA officials. They approved the plans for Launch Complex 37 to accom modate the Saturn vehicle under development by the Marshall Center team and autho rized him to undertake feasibility studies for a major launch base that would become world famous as the site from which astronauts depart for the Moon . Dr. Debus returned to Florida, called in his staff, and set the machinery in motion to create the Free World's first operational Spaceport. This narrative relates the story of a dream that became reality November 9 , 1967 , when the first Apollo /Saturn V lifted slowly off Pad A of Complex 39, and carried into orbit a space vehicle weighing 129,000 kilograms ( 285,000 pounds), by far the heaviest mass which had ever been transported from Earth to space. A startled world better understood the significance of this demonstrated capability on December 21 , 1968 , when the third Apollo/Saturn V thundered into the heavens carrying Astronauts Frank Borman , James Lovell and William Anders on man's first voyage to the Moon – an achievement that stirred the hearts of men. As he contemplated the magnificent performance of the Apollo 8 crew, Dr. Debus remarked, “ Now we can explore the solar system and then the Universe.” The stage was set for the stunning climax of Project Apollo. On July 16 , 1969 , seven months after the Apollo 8 triumph and following closely the successes of Apollos 9 and 10, Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin and Michael Collins began mankind's greatest adventure. While millions listened in awe , at 4:15 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, July 20, Neil Armstrong spoke the fateful words: “ Houston , Tranquility Base here . The Eagle has landed .” Earthman had found a new dimension . Apollo had achieved the goal towards which thousands of dedicated men and women labored for eight years.