The Cuban Missile Crisis, From Ohio
Kennedy went on television tonight and told us the Soviets have nuclear missiles in Cuba, 90 miles from Florida. We may be going to war.
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Wally Schirra Does It Right
Wally Schirra flew six orbits today in what everyone is calling a "textbook flight." After Carpenter's problems, that seems like exactly what was needed.
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We Choose to Go to the Moon — Rice University
Kennedy gave a speech at Rice University today that I think people will remember longer than almost anything he's said. He was talking directly about why we go.
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We Choose to Go to the Moon
President Kennedy spoke at Rice University today. "We choose to go to the Moon not because it is easy, but because it is hard." I read the whole speech in the paper. I read it twice. The neighbor Harold says it's still a waste of money. I told Harold the…
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The Soviets Float Two Ships
The Soviets launched two Vostok spacecraft in two days and flew them in near-formation. They were never close enough to rendezvous, but the propaganda value was enormous.
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Telstar — Live Television Across the Atlantic
Last night, for the first time in history, a live television picture was transmitted across the Atlantic Ocean via satellite. The first image: an American flag and a ground station.
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Scott Carpenter’s Overshoot
Scott Carpenter orbited three times today and then overshot his landing zone by 250 miles. For forty minutes the news reported him missing.
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John Glenn Orbits the Earth
John Glenn orbited the Earth three times today. Three times around the entire planet, nearly five hours, and he came back.
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John Glenn Goes Around the World
John Glenn orbited the Earth three times today. I took a half-day from work and watched on television. When his capsule came down in the Atlantic I realized I had been holding my breath for most of the last four hours. Three orbits. An American in orbit. Finally.
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Enos the Chimp Orbits
Enos the chimpanzee orbited the Earth twice yesterday in the final unmanned Mercury test before Glenn's orbital flight. He performed well despite equipment problems.
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