But why some say the moon.
Why choose this as our goal.
And they may well ask.
Why climb the highest mountain?
Why 35 years ago, fly the Atlantic?
Why does Rice play Texas?
We choose to go to the moon...
We choose to go to the moon...
We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other thing, 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're willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win.
We have given this program a high national priority.
Even though I realize that this is in some meausure is an act of faith and vision, for we do not now know what benefits await us.
But if I were to say my fellow citizens, that we shall send to the moon, 240, 000 miles away from the control station in Houston, a giant rocket, more than 300 feet tall, the length of this football field, made of new metal alloys, some of which have not yet been invented, capable of standing heat and stresses several times more than have ever been expereienced, fitted together with a precision better than the finest watch, carrying all the equipment needed for propulsion, guidance, control, communciations, food, and survival, on an untried mission, to an unknown celestial body, and then return it safely to earth, reentering the atmosphere at speeds over 25, 000 miles per hour, causing heat about half that of the temperature of the sun, almost as hot as it is here today.
And do all this, and do all this, and do it right, and do it first before this decade is out, then we must be bold.
I'm the one who's doing all the work, so we're just going stay cool for a minute.
However I think we're going to do it.
And I think we must pay what needs to be paid.
I don't think we oughtta waste any money but I think we oughtta do the job.
And this will be done in the decade of the sixties.
It may be done while some of you are still here at school at this college and university.
It will be done during the terms of office of some of the people who sit here on this platform.
But it will be done.
And will be done before the end of this decade.
And I am delighted that this University is playing a part in putting a man on the moon as part of a great National effort of the United States of America.
Many years ago, the great British exlporer George Mallory, who was to die on Mount Everest, was asked why did he want to climb it.
He said because it is there.
Well, Space is there.
And we're going to climb it.
And the Moon and the planets are there.
And new hopes for knowledge and peace are there.
And therefore as we set sail, we ask God's blessing, on the most hazardous, and dagerous, and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked.
Thank You.